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This study examined the effectiveness of health facility governing committees in Tanzania with a critical focus on Musoma District Council. In specific, the study aimed at examining the extent at which the HFGCs accomplish each of their roles and also exploring the challenges facing HFGCs. Cross-sectional research design and both qualitative and quantitative research design were used in the methodology. A sample size of 70 respondents who comprised Council health management team(CHMT), Ward Executive Officers (WEO), health staff and members health facility governing committees were selected from the population of 429. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used, whereby under probability sampling techniques, a simple random sampling was used while under non probability sampling, the purposive sampling techniques were used. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and observation. Data were analyzed descriptively by using SPSS computer software. The findings revealed that the procedures used to select the HFGC members were decentralized to the lower levels with the large inclusion of different social strata in its composition. Most of the committee members moderately participated in their roles. However, the majority of the committee members had low knowledge and they were not competent enough to accomplish their roles particularly in planning and budgeting. Furthermore the research findings revealed several challenges faced HFGCs in accomplishing of their roles such as inadequate knowledge among committee members, especially those with primary education, inadequate financial resources for implementing their activities also the majority of the local communities gave inadequate support to the committees especially on health facility development activities like mobilization of construction materials. Therefore, for these committees to be effective there is a need for multiple effort from high level (Ministry and Council) and health partners to allocate adequate budget for HFGCs activities, to build the capacity of the committee members, sensitize community to mobilize adequate resources and actively participate in health development activities. |
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