Public-Private Partnership: Optimising the Outcomes for Plastic Surgery in a Resource-Limited Setting at the University of Port Harcourt, (UPTH) Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Public Private Partnership (PPP) refers to a form of cooperation between public authorities and the world of business which aims to ensure the funding, construction, renovation, management and maintenance of an infrastructure or the provision of better services, better quality, better and better health in a relatively cost- effective manner or approach to the society.  Aim and Objectives: This paper highlights the role of PPP in optimizing outcomes for patients who require plastic surgical services.  Materials and Methods: This study was carried out to bring to light the perennial problems of the health care mixes within a period of 6 months in the Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery unit of The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. This work looked at the Public Private sector mixes in health care system using Nigeria as a case study.  Results: Cases managed at the public facility alone, cases managed at the private facility alone and the cases managed through the combined effort of both the Private and Public sector (PPP) were analyzed.  Conclusion: Public Private Partnership is key to the success and effectiveness of healthcare delivery in a resource poor setting as the PPP drives the marriage of effectiveness in administration and business prototype in the marriage of government infrastructure and large medical market with turn over into a partnership where the private component brings in the specific funding and equipment and expertise needed to make the medical business model.