Time for a Health Check: Why Togo’s Public Hospital Contracting Needs a Serious Overhaul
Togo’s Public Hospitals in Crisis: Contracting System Fails to Deliver
Togo’s public hospitals have been struggling to provide quality healthcare since 2017, despite the introduction of a contracting system aimed at improving their management. The system, implemented with the support of the former Minister of Health, Professor Moustafa Mijiyawa, was meant to revitalize the country’s ailing public health facilities.
However, a recent survey by Afrobarômetre reveals that the contracting system has failed to address the deep-seated issues plaguing Togo’s public hospitals. The survey, conducted in March 2022, found that the majority of respondents who had interacted with a public hospital in the last year reported problems with long waiting times (77%), dilapidated infrastructure (71%), shortages of medicines or equipment (68%), and the absence of doctors or healthcare personnel (54%).
These findings are a cause for concern, as they indicate that the contracting system has not brought about the expected improvements in the quality of care and services provided by public hospitals. In fact, the survey suggests that the majority of Togolese citizens (56%) are dissatisfied with the government’s performance in improving basic health services.
One of the primary reasons for this dissatisfaction is the lack of access to care, which is often hindered by the unavailability of medication. This is a critical issue that needs to be addressed urgently, as it has a direct impact on the health and well-being of citizens.
The survey’s findings are a wake-up call for the government to re-evaluate the contracting system and identify areas for improvement. The current Minister of Health, Professor Tchin Darre, is expected to conduct a thorough assessment of the system, which has been criticized for lacking a clear legal basis and manual of procedure.
By addressing these anomalies and making necessary reforms, the government can work towards creating a more effective and efficient healthcare system that meets the needs of its citizens.