Challenges in distribution of old age pensions in Lesotho
- Authors: Sejanamane, Nkhahle Daniel
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Old age pensions -- Lesotho Aging -- Economic aspects -- Lesotho , Defined contribution pension plans -- Lesotho Retirement income -- Lesotho
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20477 , vital:29293
- Description: The research set out to explore the nature of challenges in distribution of old age pensions in Lesotho. Poor institutional capacity failed the implementing agency, the Department of Pensions; to set up competent administrative structures to run run the pensions effectively and efficiently. A number of challenges have been identified, some of which were: inadequate supervision of the paying officers, fraud by workers and community agents, missing funds, insufficient resources, inadequate administrative capacity, overworked employees, faulty targeting, soft and discriminatory approach to non-compliance with rules and multiple use of identity documents by recipients. On the other hand, a number of opportunities have been identified to counteract the challenges. The main recommendation of the study was the engagement of mobile phone-based money transfer facilities to transfer the old age pensions from the government to the recipients. The Department of Pensions should make use of baseline database like information from civil registration agency like the Ministry of Home Affairs to confirm the validity of the pension recipients. Other recommendations included moving the division of old age pensions from the Pensions Department to the Ministry of Social Development which is the controlling body for other forms of social grants in Lesotho. The Ministry of Social Development is regarded as well equipped with qualified staff and facilities to deal with vulnerable people like the elderly.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Challenges faced by professional nurses in implementing the six Ministerial priority standards of care in a Health care institution in O R Tambo Region in the Eastern Cape province
- Authors: Kula, Nokuseni
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Health care standards -- Hospital
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Cur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/699 , vital:27770
- Description: The objective of this research study was to describe and explore challenges faced by professional nurses in implementing six ministerial priority standards of care in selected units of an identified institution in O.R. Tambo region. Nurses are trained and employed to provide nursing care to patients according to scope of practice set by their statutory body (South African Nursing Council). Setting of standards forms part of quality improvement in nursing care and standards need to be monitored and evaluated (Muller 2006:206). In South Africa, the Minister of Health has identified six priority areas to fast-track improvement and ensure quality in health services. These priority areas are as follows: attitudes and values of health workers, cleanliness of the facility, waiting times, patient safety and security, infection prevention and control, and availability of medicines (National Health Plan: Strategic plan 2010/2013). Standard of nursing care in OR Tambo region according to available statistics, is lower than the expected ministerial standards, regardless of continued monitoring and evaluation. Staff attitudes is an ongoing problem, long queues, linen shortages, low standards of cleanliness as well as shortage of medication remain a challenge in health care institutions. This study is a qualitative, descriptive, exploratory, and contextual study that explored challenges faced by professional nurses in implementing the six ministerial priority standards of care. A purposive sampling of 10 professional nurses, meeting the selection criteria was utilised. In depth, semi structured interviews were used as a method of data collection. A digital voice recorder was used to record the interviews and consent from participants was obtained. Ethical considerations were adhered to. The interview question was: “What challenges are you facing in implementing expected standards of care with reference to the six ministerial priority standards of care?” Data was analysed using content thematic analysis approach. An independent coder with a Master’s degree and studying towards a doctorate helped with coding the results of the interviews. The Theory for Health Promotion in nursing as propounded by Botes (2006) was used to analyse the findings. The approach used was based on the external environment and its dimensions – social, physical and intellectual. v The findings of the research revealed the following themes: Lack of resources, demotivation of nurses, attitude of nurses, lack of monitoring and evaluation, environment and overcrowding, lack of patient safety, negligence, availability of policy and procedure manuals, and incompetency of health care professionals. The findings of this study revealed that nurses faced many challenges with regard to improving the standard of nursing care. According to Botes (2006), the purpose of nursing research is functional by nature, it provides guidelines for practice. Therefore in this study, a description of guidelines to improve nursing care has been done. Trustworthiness of the findings was ensured by utilising Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness. Limitations of the research are highlighted and recommendations for further and related studies are made.
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- Date Issued: 2016