The impact of restructuring on the delivery of health care services

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of restructuring on the delivery of health care services in the Mafikeng area. In some rural areas health care facilities are not accessible to the local communities as consumers are in most cases unable to reach the centres because of lack of transport, funds among others. Most of our communities are disadvantaged especially in case where mobile clinics cannot reach them. The study revealed that restructuring had a negative impact on the delivery of health care services. People who felt the major impact are the disadvantaged, who are from rural communities and should have benefited from restructuring. The study has recommended that nurse patient ratio and doctor patient ratio be improved to reduce the adverse effects of restructuring. Policies need to be revised to come up with better strategies and to reskill health care workers.