Relationship between Technological Advancements and Implementation of Public Private Partnerships Health Care Projects in Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

The dynamic demands and challenges associated with the provision of universal health care informed decision in several countries around the world to both devolve and introduce Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for provision of health care services at local government levels. However, the existence of substandard strategies for the implementation of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) arrangements in health information technologies has denied citizenry access to fast class health care services.  This study investigated the influence of technological advancements on implementation of PPPs healthcare projects in Meru County. The study is anchored on one theory; Transaction Cost Theory. Descriptive survey research design guided the study. Target population was 1,017. A sample size of 309 constituting;19 Staff at Departments of Health and that of Physical and Economic Planning, 23 Civil Society Organizations' Managers and 267 Health Workers in Public Hospitals. Stratified and Simple random sampling procedures were used to select final subjects. Primary data collected making use of structured questionnaires. Quantitative data was analyzed making use of descriptive statistics while qualitative data was outlined in narratives modeled on themes in the study. The study established that, then on-existence of mHealth applications, electronic health records applications, diagnostics technologies and human resources information systems all through PPP arrangements adversely influenced the implementation of PPPs health information systems projects in the study locale. The study concluded that technological advancements are correlated to the implementation of PPPs arrangements for implementation of health information technologies systems. The study recommends that, county government in partnerships with National government agencies should develop effective PPPs for the implementation of health information technologies systems projects.