Evaluating financial management competency in primary healthcare managers of Kondoa, Iramba, and Sumbawanga District Councils, Tanzania

Abstract

 Background : Examining the financial managerial competency of primary healthcare facility managers is very important. Despite its importance, empirical investigation is limited in this area. To contribute mpirical evidence on this subject this study looked at Tanzania's public primary healthcare facility managers.

Materials and Methods : The study was conducted in Kondoa, Iramba and Sumbawanga District Councils in Tanzania. This research adopted a cross-sectional research design. A census sampling strategy was employed to obtain primary data from 102 public primary healthcare facility managers. The Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) Version 25 was used to analyse the data.

Results : Findings reveal that slightly more than half (57.85%) of managers were competent whereas (42.15%) of them were less competent in acting on the financial statements. In monitoring financial performance (47.53%) were less competent and (52.47%) were competent. Also, in developing budgets following organisational objectives, (50.97%) were less competent and (49.03%) were competent. Additionally, in managing budgets by organisational objectives, (45.09%) were less competent and (54.91%) were competent. Furthermore, in establishing and maintaining the organisation's insurance contracts and financial relationships, (53.92%) were less competent and (46.08%) were competent.

Conclusions : Nearly half of the facility managers in selected Tanzanian District Councils demonstrated competence in financial statement analysis, performance monitoring, budget development, and managing insurance contracts and financial relationships.

Recommendations : This study recommends improving the financial managerial competency of facility managers in all areas of financial management roles as a key area of investment in efforts to improve the management of primary healthcare facilities.