SoC04 Quality of care versus quantity of care

alittlegirl · 2024-05-27T14:52:59+00:00

Health is a broad term that goes beyond the mere absence of disease or injury. Today, health encompasses not only physical well-being but also mental and social well-being. With the astonishing growth of the global population and technological advancements, healthcare has evolved to keep pace with these changes. Governments and organizations worldwide are working tirelessly to ensure the health of their populations is not overlooked. Developing countries, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa, have made significant progress in addressing various health issues despite numerous challenges. These efforts include tackling maternal deaths, endemic diseases like malaria, and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems even in developed countries and almost undermined the strides made by developing nations. As a medical student during and after the COVID-19 era, I have observed critical lessons yet to be fully addressed by our government. In Tanzania, we have made significant progress in establishing healthcare facilities even in remote areas. Despite this, a pressing issue remains: the quality of care provided in these facilities. The mere existence of healthcare facilities is insufficient if the quality of care does not meet required standards. Currently, Tanzania faces a shortage of medical personnel. Despite efforts to educate and train healthcare professionals to current standards, public outcries about long waiting times, substandard care, and the absence of health personnel in facilities persist. Healthcare professionals need support not only from the government but also through effective policies. These policies should enable healthcare workers to provide high-quality care, not just care measured by quantity. As a future healthcare professional, I urge the government to focus on improving conditions in healthcare facilities and for those working in them. A healthy population is essential for a successful government. We need to shift from policies that merely count the number of facilities built to analyzing how well these facilities operate. The ultimate goal should be achieving access to universal quality healthcare. For example, in zonal hospitals, the number of patients often far exceeds the capacity of healthcare providers, with frontline workers like nurses bearing the brunt. There is also an increased need for advanced healthcare services due to rising chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and various cancers, which have led to a growing need for palliative care. As a developing country, Tanzania has made remarkable strides in addressing healthcare challenges. However, we must not ignore the ongoing issues. These challenges prompt us to ask: do we measure healthcare achievements by the quantity of care or the quality of care provided? The growth and expansion of our healthcare system should align with the actual needs of the country and its population.

Thread starter alittlegirl
Start date May 27, 2024
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care quality

Tanzania Tuitakayo competition threads

alittlegirl

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May 27, 2024

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