Management of Sub-District Health Plan in Singburi province, 2013

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the development and management process of subdistrict health plan in Singburi province, and the role perception among key stakeholders in relation to the management process. The respondents were 133 people from 3 sectors : local administrative officers (municipalities and sub-district administrative organizations), directors of health promoting hospital and leaders of village health volunteers in sub-districts. Data were collected by using a set of questionnaire and in-depth interview during January-April 2013. It was found the majority of respondents (72.2%) had followed the Department of Health Service Support of Ministry of Public Health which was comprised of 6 steps: (1) preparation, (2) community analysis and diagnosis, (3) capacity building of stakeholders, (4) development of the plan, (5) implementation and (6) monitoring and evaluation. Majority of the respondents were aware of their role; and such awareness was found to be significantly associated with the involvement in the management of the plan p<0.01). Based on the indepth interviews majority of the respondents believed that the sub-district health plan was a health development process with clear goals and systematically managed to take care of health of people. The key management sector was the local government with technical inputs and guidance from local health promotion hospitals whereas village health volunteers participated in the planning process. The budget for the plan was from sub-district health insurance fund. It was recommended that Singburi Provincial Health Office should develop a strategy to create knowledge, raise awareness, build capacity and supervised sub-district stakeholders to be able to manage the local health system that focuses on wellbeing and clear health outcome in the communities.