Mediating effect of integrated health commodities procurement system on the relationship between responsiveness and health service delivery

Abstract

PurposeThe problems that face health service delivery across different countries are compounded by financial, political, institutional and technical deficiencies. Yet, the role of technological aspects in the procurement of health commodities and health service delivery system requires in-depth exploration. This study bridges this gap by examining the mediating effect of an integrated health commodities procurement system on the relationship between responsiveness and health service delivery.Design/methodology/approachData for this study were collected from 274 respondents, comprising procurement staff and pharmacists using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. A total of 28 government-owned hospitals from 6 regions in the Southern Highland of Tanzania were sampled for observation. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used for data analysis.FindingsThe results of the study revealed a positive and significant relationship between responsiveness and integrated health commodities procurement system (β = 0.572, p < 0.001). Responsiveness positively and significantly affects health service delivery (β = 0.175, p = 0.004). The results also show that integrated health commodities procurement system is positive and significantly related to health service delivery (β = 0.264, p < 0.001). Lastly, the bootstrapping confidence intervals revealed that an integrated health commodities procurement system significantly mediates the relationship between responsiveness and health service delivery.Practical implicationsTo strengthen the health service delivery system, the study recommends enforcing internal control mechanisms and supporting policies that will monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the integrated health commodities procurement system and service practitioners' responsiveness. Moreover, health service managers should ensure that the planning, procurement and distribution of health commodities are fully and effectively integrated at each node of the health supply chain.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the body of knowledge which examines the efficacy of health service delivery from procurement perspective. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first study that offers empirical evidence for the mediating effect of integrated health commodities procurement system on the link between responsiveness and health service delivery.

IJHG Review 28.3

“…This review is based on the paper -Mediating effect of integrated health commodities procurement system on the relationship between responsiveness and health service delivery by Israel B. (2023).…”

“…Recommendations from the current study include expanding the research to accommodate private hospitals and to examine other aspects of supply chain management, as the study being reported focused on responsiveness (Israel, 2023). Despite these limitations, the study achieved its aim of demonstrating the importance of responsiveness and highlighting the importance of maintaining and enhancing effective IT systems in the procurement supply chain.…”

“…This is highly topical as health practitioners, educators and researchers continue to explore the ways in which behaviour, both on personal and societal levels, affects the health of both individuals and populations. Baraka Israel (2023) examines the integration of procurement and responsiveness in the delivery of health services. This is a ubiquitous problem, as shown during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, but has a greater deleterious effect on population health in LMIC.…”