Medical Services and Health Facilities

Medical Services and Health Facilities

The Department of Medical Services and Hospitals is a cornerstone of the Ministry of Health’s mandate to provide, regulate, and steward the national healthcare system. This document defines the Department’s mission, core responsibilities, organisational structure, and operational framework to ensure the delivery of high-quality, equitable, and efficient medical services across all public hospitals and specialised care centers.

2. Vision, Mission, and Objectives

• Vision: To be a leader in providing and overseeing world-class medical services that are accessible, patient-centered, and sustainable for all citizens.
• Mission: To ensure the effective management, development, and regulation of public hospital services and specialized medical care through strategic planning, capacity building, quality assurance, and the promotion of evidence-based medicine.
• Strategic Objectives:
  1. To enhance the quality and safety of clinical care in all public hospitals.
  2. To improve the operational efficiency and financial sustainability of hospital services.
  3. To ensure equitable access to specialized and tertiary medical care.
  4. To develop a skilled, motivated, and adequate healthcare workforce within hospitals.
  5. To foster the integration of technology and innovation in service delivery.

3. Mandate and Scope

The Department of Medical Services and Hospitals is mandated by the Ministry of Health to oversee, direct, and support the entire network of public hospitals and specialized medical institutes under the Ministry’s purview. Its scope encompasses all clinical, administrative, and technical aspects of hospital operations.

4. Core Functions and Responsibilities

The Department’s work is organized into several key functional areas:

A. Policy, Planning, and Development:

• Formulate national policies, strategies, and standards for hospital services and specialized medical care.
• Develop long-term and annual operational plans for the hospital sector.
• Lead the planning for new hospital infrastructure, major medical equipment procurement, and the expansion of specialized services (e.g., oncology, cardiology, neurosurgery).
• Conduct health technology assessments for new medical equipment and procedures.

B. Clinical Services and Quality Assurance:

• Develop, update, and monitor the implementation of standardized clinical protocols, guidelines, and care pathways.
• Establish and manage a national hospital accreditation and quality improvement program.
• Monitor key clinical performance indicators (e.g., mortality rates, infection rates, patient satisfaction).
• Promote patient safety initiatives and ensure reporting and learning from adverse events.
• Oversee the establishment and functioning of hospital ethics committees.

C. Hospital Operations and Management Support:

• Develop standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for hospital administration, finance, and logistics.
• Provide technical guidance and support to hospital directors on management best practices.
• Oversee hospital supply chain management for critical medical commodities.
• Develop and implement performance-based management frameworks for hospitals.

D. Human Resources for Health (HRH) in Hospitals:

• Forecast the HRH needs for the hospital sector.
• Develop staffing norms and standards for different levels of hospitals.
• Coordinate with the HR department on the recruitment, deployment, and retention strategies for hospital staff.
• Design and oversee continuous professional development (CPD) and specialized training programs for hospital personnel.

E. Health Information and Research:

• Manage the national hospital data repository, including data on morbidity, mortality, service utilization, and costs.
• Promote and facilitate operational and clinical research within public hospitals.
• Use data analytics to inform policy decisions, resource allocation, and performance management.

F. Specialized Programs and Referral Systems:

• Manage national programs for specific diseases (e.g., cancer, renal failure, cardiac diseases).
• Develop and regulate an efficient tiered referral system from primary to tertiary care.
• Oversee the operation of national specialized treatment centers.

5. Organizational Structure and Reporting Lines

• The Department shall be headed by a Director,
• The Department shall be organized into several Directorates/Units, each led by a Deputy Director, responsible for:
• 1. Directorate of Clinical Services & Quality
  2. Directorate of Hospital Operations & Management
  3. Directorate of Planning & Health Information Systems
  4. Directorate of Specialized Medical Programs & HRH
  5. Administration & Finance Unit

6. Key Interactions and Collaborations

The Department shall work closely with:

Private Health Sector: For public-private partnerships (PPPs) and regulating private hospital services (if within its mandate).

Other MoH Departments: (e.g., Public Health, Primary Health Care, Planning, Procurement, HR) to ensure a seamless health system.

Public Hospital Management: All public hospital directors and management teams report functionally to this Department.

Regulatory Bodies: on issues of professional practice and licensure.

Academic and Research Institutions: For training, research, and development.

Development Partners and NGOs: For collaborative projects and funding.