Performance of Township Hospitals in Xinjiang

Objective To evaluate the performance of township hospitals and to analyze the factors influencing the performance in Xinjiang,aiming at providing a scientific basis for government policymaking in the future. Methods A total of 205 township hospital presidents and County Public Health Bureau directors were randomly selected from the president / director trainees who participated in the Township Hospital President Training Program between May,2012 and June,2013. A questionnaire survey was administered to all selected presidents and directors and personal interviews were conducted with township hospital presidents from 18 counties. Results The basic medical services were delivered to 68. 9% of the areas represented by the surveyed hospital presidents and bureau directors while the specialized medical service coverage in these areas was only 29. 9%. In over 80% of these areas,resident health record archiving,physical examination,vaccination and strategic planning of management of emergency events of public health matters had been conducted. In over 70% of these areas,promotion of the public health education,management and control of chronic and infectious diseases,and health care of particular population groups had been done. 60. 8%,63. 5% and 77. 9% of these areas respectively,public health surveillance,environmental health surveillance, and health information management had been implemented. Conclusion Some of the township hospitals in Xinjiang do not provide services as required. In these townships,the implementation rate of required programs remains low,and quality control of drinking water and food and environmental inspection and surveillance should be intensified. Increasing capital investment and the number of healthcare staff,and improving the staff professional skills are among the important measures to improve the functional performance of the township hospitals in Xinjiang.