Influence of Public Procurement Practices on End User Satisfaction in Mubende hospital, Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between public procurement practices and end user satisfaction of procured services in the hospital. The study objectives included: (i) assessing the relationship between transparency in procurement and end user satisfaction of procured services in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, (ii) investigating the relationship between non-discrimination in procurement and end user satisfaction of procured services in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, and (iii) analyzing the relationship between competition in procurement and end user satisfaction of procured services in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. The study adopted a cross sectional survey. The results showed the following correlation coefficients and probability values: r = 0.488 and p = 0.028 for transparency in procurement and end user satisfaction; r = 0.516 and p = 0.043 for non-discrimination in procurement and end user satisfaction; and r = 0.424 and p = 0.026 for competition in procurement and end user satisfaction. The correlation coefficients were all positive and significant. It was concluded that increasing transparency in procurement, non-discrimination in procurement and competition in procurement would improve end user satisfaction of procured services in Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. Therefore, the study recommends that central government policy making agencies and Districts should tighten, increase adherence, and sensitize the public about the existing public procurement regulations and guidelines so as to enhance end user satisfaction of procured services in the hospital.