THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES A CASE OF DUNUKOFIA LOCAL GOVT. AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The role of local government in the provision of health care services has become a topical issue amongst contemporary workers. It is the intention of the paper to contribute to knowledge by conducting a research into areas where previous research work has stopped in this field of study. Since the increasing complexity of the nature of our society implies certain degree of unhealthy living and diseases affecting old and young, rich and poor. It is patient for this study to investigate and report the problems of unqualified personnel, inadequate programmes and projects, ineffective communication system and lack of funds to carry out the duties of meeting the health needs of the masses.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Certification                                                           ii

Dedication                                                             iii

Acknowledgement                                                  iv

Abstract                                                                v

Table of contents                                                    vi

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  Introduction                                                    1

1. Background of the study                                   2
2. Statement of problem                                      3
3. Objective of the study                                      4
4. Research questions                                          5
5. Significance of study                                        6
6. Scope of the study                                           6
7. Limitation of the study                                     7
8. Definition of terms                                           8

CHAPTER TWO

• Literature review                                             10
• Introduction                                                    10
• Local Government Administration                       10
• Objectives of Local Government                         13
• Power and functions of Local Government           15
• Administrative structure of Local Government             17
• Committees of Local Government Council           21
• Community development                                         22
• Approaches to Community healthcare development27
• References

CHAPTER THREE

• Research design and methodology                     33
• Introduction                                                    33
• Research design                                              33
• Sources / method of data collection                          34
• Population and sample size                               35
• Sample technique                                            35
• Validity and reliability of measuring instrument    36
• Method of data analysis                                    36

CHAPTER FOUR

• Data presentation and analysis of  data                     37
• Introduction                                                    37
• Presentation of data                                         37
• Interpretation of data                                       44

CHAPTER FIVE

• Summary, conclusion and recommendations              45
• Introduction                                                    45
• Summary of findings                                        45
• Conclusion                                                      46
• Recommendations                                           48

References                                                      49

Appendix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

       Local government is an organ of the state put into the peddle the development activities of a particular place or district, with a view to making the impact of governance be it political or military being felt at the grass root level. It is seen as the “management of community affairs by the people of a locality.

       In the worlds of Ogunna 1996, local government is form of devolution of the political powers of the state. It is seen as the political authority purposely created by law or constitution to manage local public affairs within the rural communities

       According to Oyediran, et al 2001” it is local government in which popular participation both in the choice of decision maker and in decision making process is conducted by local bodies which while recognizing the supremacy of the central government is able and willing to accept the responsibilities for it decision .

       The guidelines of the local government reform in 1976 defined local government as government at local level exercise through representatives established by law to exercise specific power within the defined area.       

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

       In this chapter intended to examine the role of local government in the provision of Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state the following health care service have been provided by the local government to improve the rural dwellers standard of living, these include immunization of little children against polio, building of maternity home, provision dispensation and clinic. All these helped to the increase in the living standard of the community.

       According to Ogunna (1996) and (1976) reform clearly mapped out the function of local government.

The category of function included health services such as health centers maternity centers and ambulance service. The federal government in an attempt to guarantee these functions for the construction of 1973 in the fourth schedule.

       The expected ways of providing health care service by waste disposal creating awareness to appreciate the new to immunization themselves and their babies against killer diseases through the expanded programme on immunization (NPI) establishment of health centers in the rural communities employing quantified staff to manage the health centers. Their populate have always been neglected in this regards. The local authorities should rake aided step to retrace the situation.