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Accountability in the Bangladeshi privatized healthcare sector

Mohammad Nurunnabi (Business School, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK)
Syed Kamrul Islam (School of Business, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh)

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance

ISSN: 0952-6862

Article publication date: 31 August 2012

863

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceived Bangladesh privatized healthcare sector accountability gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 533 patients using services in 45 Dhaka city privatized hospitals. A questionnaire was designed based on 60 patient focus study group and the literature.

Findings

Structural equation modeling provides a comprehensive picture that allows healthcare constructs and accountability to be tested. The goodness‐of‐fit statistics supported the four factors of professionals, administration and management, legal enforcement, ethics and government, which were significantly associated with accountability. Despite Bangladeshi privatized healthcare growth, the study revealed that accountability mainly depends on government initiatives and effectively implementing existing laws.

Research limitations/implications

The study covered one Bangladesh city (Dhaka) owing to resource constraints. Qualitative methods may have enriched the findings.

Practical implications

The accountability dimensions may be applicable to other countries to examine the perceived accountability gap. The study looked at the current Bangladesh privatized healthcare sector. Major issues of Bangladesh privatized healthcare accountability are discussed and recommendations for policymakers are suggested to improve the current circumstances.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind to examine accountability among privatized healthcare providers in developing countries. Patients’ accountability views require urgent attention from policy makers.

Keywords

Citation

Nurunnabi, M. and Kamrul Islam, S. (2012), "Accountability in the Bangladeshi privatized healthcare sector", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 25 No. 7, pp. 625-644. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526861211261226

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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