ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF HOSPITAL BUREAUCRACY ON THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF NHIS IN FCT, ABUJA, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The noble targets of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cannot be effectively achieved with undesirable delays at healthcare centres due to bureaucratic bottlenecks present in these hospitals. This study assessed the effects of hospital bureaucracy on the effective implementation of NHIS in FCT, Abuja. The study adopted neo-bureaucratic theory which de-emphasized the harsh effects of the Weberian bureaucratic theory as theoretical framework. The survey study utilized questionnaire instrument to elicit data from Health workers and NHIS enrollees in nine health institutions spread across four Area Councils in Abuja, namely, AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The study observed that inefficient bureaucracy affects the effective implementation of NHIS in FCT to a high extent. The study concludes that hospital bureaucracy affects the effective implementation of NHIS in the FCT and the views of NHIS enrollees and health workers vary significantly regarding it. It recommended among other things that NHIS documentation processes in the health facilities should be done prior to falling ill and coming to access care.