EFFECTIVENESS OF TASK SHIFTING AND TASK SHARING POLICY ON ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of task shifting and task sharing policy on access to essential healthcare services in Bauchi State. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining qualitative data collection and analysis methods. A descriptive research study approach was applied. Globally, the world is ageing with more people living longer. Therefore, healthcare systems need to adapt and adjust in meeting the rising demand for quality healthcare of this population. Africa also faces numerous health workforce challenges that are contributing to the health indices and systems’ performance of countries in the continent. These challenges are also impacting negatively on the functionality and the resilience of the health system, and the attainment of key population outcomes. These challenges, which are quite broad and have contextual specificities, include weak health and health workforce leadership, governance and stewardship mechanisms, and management systems, as well as poor regulation, and evidence generation and use mechanism. The aim was to explore the perceptions on effectiveness of task shifting and sharing in Bauchi state Nigeria and strategies for improving task shifting and sharing implementation. Bauchi State were purposively selected for this study because is adapted the National task shifting and sharing policy and plan into sub-national policies and plans in 2015 and have been implementing it. The target population in the states was policymakers in the ministries of health and primary health care agencies. This group was selected because they are responsible for policy formulation and implementation of task shifting and sharing. We found that task shifting could potentially improve several health outcomes such as blood pressure and mental health while achieving cost savings. Key elements for successful implementation of task shifting include collaboration among all parties, a system for coordinated care, provider empowerment, patient preference, shared decision making, training and competency, supportive organizations system, clear process outcome, and financing. The study also found that task shifting and task sharing policy has improved access to essential healthcare services, including immunization, maternal and reproductive health services, and HIV care. The study focuses on understanding task sharing and tasks shifting in Bauchi state, the implementation structures, the cadres involved and their tasks, to what extent task sharing and task shifting was successful. Respondents were drawn from healthcare providers-medical officers, nurses, clinical officers and community health workers at the community units, dispensaries, health centers and hospitals offering family planning services and beneficiaries of the services. Access to essential healthcare services is a critical component of achieving universal health coverage and improving health outcomes. The study recommends that policymakers and healthcare managers provide adequate training and resources to support task shifting and task sharing initiatives and establish effective communication channels to ensure successful implementation.