The Effect of Ownership of Health Care Systems on Distribution and Quality of Health Services

Abstract

This paper investigates whether form of ownership of health facilities affects the pattern of distribution of health services, their quality and composition. Kenyan data show that public ownership of health facilities is likely to lead to better distribution of health services than private ownership. This result appears to rest more on the country's development strategy than on inherent attributes of public and private ownerships. Quality and mix of health services are also affected by type of ownership of health facilities. Bibliogr.