Investments for medical equipment in a mother and child health hospital: correlation with level of services/departments

Abstract

Aim. To assess whether investments for medical equipments assigned by a team of experts to a mother and child health hospital located in Mongolia were correlated with structural, organizational, and educational level of its services/departments.

Methods. A score was used for evaluating the level of each service/department. It was based on a ‘structural area’ and an ‘organizational and educational area’. Destination of funds was determined by a team of experts in collaboration with the head of the service/department.

Results. Thirty-three of 36 services/departments (91.6%) were evaluated. A total sum of 4,432,140 Euros to invest in medical equipment was estimated. Assigned investments were inversely correlated with the total (structural plus organizational and educational area) score (n = 33; r = −0.59; p = 0.0002), and the specific scores for structural area (n = 33; r = −0.46; p = 0.005) and organizational and educational area (n = 33; r = −0.56; p = 0.0006).

Conclusions. A large part of the funds for medical equipment was destined to services/departments with low organizational and educational conditions, limiting the potential effect of the aid meanwhile supporting the most in need departments. Educational efforts and monitoring of specific long-term indicators are mandatory.

Keywords:

• Developing countries
• investments
• healthcare
• mother and child hospital

Acknowledgements

Study Collaborators: Giorgio Sparaci, (Head of the Project), Cristian Abisambra, Antonio Baio, Giovanni Calcagnini, Federica Censi, Antonello Fadda, Carlo Giovannelli, Roberto Lucigliano, Dulamjav Badamjav, Tsamba Jimsee, Mauro Havel, Solongo Jargalsaikhan, Enkhtur Shonkhuuz.