The total factor productivity growth of health systems in African least developed countries

Abstract

Background: Given the several health policy reforms in various countries in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) era, the need for efficient and productive health systems has become of great concern. This is even more urgent in African Least Developed Countries (African LDCs) that need to improve the health of their populations. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess the total factor productivity growth of health systems of 29 African Least Developed Countries for the 2008-2018 period. Methods: The study uses data from the World Bank and the World Health Organization. Using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Malmquist index, the inputs that were used in the study included domestic general government health expenditure, domestic private health expenditure, external health expenditure and out of pocket health expenditure while the outputs were life expectancy at birth, maternal mortality rate, under five mortality rate, and infant mortality rate. Results: Sixteen African LDCs registered progress in the total factor productivity growth of their health systems while thirteen registered a decline the total factor productivity growth of their health systems. Overall, there was 0.3% average increase in total factor productivity growth of health systems in African LDCs. This was attributed to a 1.2% increase in technical efficiency change and a 0.9% average decrease in the technical change of health systems in African LDCs. Conclusions: African LDCs with less productive health systems are advised to bench mark the policies of African LDCs with productive health systems.