The Practice of Local Good Governance in Terms of Responsiveness: The Study Conducted at Selected Health Centers from Boloso Bombe Woreda, Wolaita Zone, SNNPRS, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the practice of good governance in terms of responsiveness in selected health centers of Boloso Bombe, Wolaita Zone, SNNPR Regional State in Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, the study has used proportionate to population size technique. It was employed to identify and draw respondents from service provider.  Totally, 120 respondents were selected through proportionate to population size sampling technique.  By using accidental sampling method; 30 service users were selected from each health centers. We employed a qualitative and quantitative approach to assess the practice of local governance. The results of the study reveals that: the challenges of the selected health centers with regard to responsiveness parameter, less work commitment of professionals, shortage of electric power, shortage of Ambulance facilities, lack of infrastructure, shortage of water, shortage of drug supply and medical equipments, inadequate budget allocation, lack of adequate professionals (human resource) in each department, low level of awareness among the community about the delivery services, lack of performance review, absence of adequate team coordination and less awareness of responsiveness.  Moreover, a negative attitude of service providers responded that giving chance for upgrading, increasing salary, per diem payment, educational training, and positive reward for good achievement and supportive supervision was explained  as an another set of opportunity to promote responsiveness . Finally, we recommend that the sector have to improve annual budget share of the health sector, developing information dissemination, giving priorities to purchase drugs and medical equipments, increasing incentive system to those who serving the clients with filled dedication, and encourage clients to present their complaints are the most important activities to ensure responsive governance in the study area. At the end it would have an implication of positive view to such governance to make decentralized perfect decision and create an initiation for other similar sectors.

Keywords: Good Governance, Decentralization, Responsiveness.