Showing papers by "John M. Luiz published in 2013"

Information technology systems in public sector health facilities in developing countries: the case of South Africa

Abstract: Background The public healthcare sector in developing countries faces many challenges including weak healthcare systems and under-resourced facilities that deliver poor outcomes relative to total healthcare expenditure. Global references demonstrate that information technology has the ability to assist in this regard through the automation of processes, thus reducing the inefficiencies of manually driven processes and lowering transaction costs. This study examines the impact of hospital information systems implementation on service delivery, user adoption and organisational culture within two hospital settings in South Africa.

Foreign Direct Investment, Institutional Voids, and the Internationalization of Mining Companies into Africa

Abstract: The paper investigates the factors influencing the internationalization of mining firms into Africa and the strategies employed. We find that the three most important factors identified by mining houses as influencing their decisions to invest are all related to institutional voids particular to developing countries—security of tenure, political stability and poor infrastructure. South African firms have shown themselves to be adept to doing business in volatile political and institutional environments because of their experience within their home base with relatively weaker institutions. They have therefore developed advantages over multinational enterprises from industrialized countries to doing business in these new frontiers.

Provincial screening rates for chronic diseases of lifestyle, cancers and HIV in a health-insured population

Abstract: Background. Screening for asymptomatic diseases can reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality in all population groups. There is widespread geographical variation in the quality of care. Few data are available on national screening rates in South Africa and how these vary across the provinces. Objective. To examine screening rates for chronic diseases of lifestyle (CDL), HIV and cancer in a privately insured population for a single insurer across all nine provinces in South Africa, and to determine whether or not there are any differences between the provinces. Method. Screening rates were calculated as the proportion of eligible members who had received screening tests during 2011 in each province. Mean screening rates were compared between Gauteng and the other eight provinces. Results. Nationwide screening rates were 20.5% for CDL, 8.2% for HIV and 31.9% for cancer. Despite similar insurance coverage, screening rates ranged from 0.3% to 0.95% lower in other provinces compared with Gauteng. Of all the provinces, Gauteng had the highest annual screening rates for CDL, breast cancer, prostate cancer and HIV (p<0.001), while the Western Cape had the highest rate for cervical cancer (p<0.001). Conclusion. There is much variation in preventive care utilisation across the provinces within this health-insured population. Provinces with more abundant healthcare resources have higher screening rates. Further research is required to understand the reasons for the variation, given equal payment access.

Constructing Institutional Measures: Indicators of Political and Property Rights in Mozambique, 1900–2005

Abstract: In this article, we focus on the role of political and economic institutions in Mozambique's development. We produce a set of institutional indicators for Mozambique for the period 1900–2005. The first index tracks political freedoms and is unique in its duration and complexity. The second index is a measure of property rights for Mozambique, and such a measure has not existed previously and certainly not for this length of time. The construction of these indices is a painstaking process through historical records but it provides us with a richness of institutional data previously not available. The new institutional indices will allow us to explore the role of the institutional environment in determining economic growth and development in Mozambique over time.

An industry analysis of pharmaceutical production in South Africa

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to investigate the shifting structure of pharmaceutical production in South Africa and examine the global and local factors that have contributed to this change. Generally, these factors have resulted in a decline in the number of pharmaceutical manufacturers in South Africa and in particular manufacturing operations owned by multinational companies. Simultaneously the global demand for generic medicines has increased due to their ability to improve access to affordable medicines. As a result, the supply of medicines in South Africa is being increasingly met by imported generic medicines and to a lesser extent locally manufactured generic medicines. These changes, together with a turbulent and sometimes uncertain regulatory environment, have led to interesting dynamics and changes within the structure of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in South Africa.

A Review of Social Welfare in Sub‐Saharan Africa: From the Colonial Legacy to the Millennium Development Goals

Abstract: In this article, we explore the historical evolution of social welfare policy in sub-Saharan Africa focusing on the post-1900 period. We show that we have seen a very conflicted approach to social development. Social security was reluctantly and very slowly introduced during the colonial period, and the post-colonial state has likewise been cautious in its approach and has not been able to build a long-term social contract with society. Instead, it has relied on clientelism, cooption, coercion and patronage. Since the late 1990s we have seen the African state and political systems begin to mature with greater democratisation and the growth of formal welfare systems.