FACTORS AFFECTING THE AVAILABILITY OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING EQUIPMENT: A CASE OF MURANGA COUNTY

Purpose: Medical imaging is a key component in the doctor’s daily requirement to diagnose various diseases and prescribe effective treatment. Increased cases of terminal illnesses within Murang’a County have been on the rise in recent years requiring comprehensive screening and management. However, the imaging equipment remains inadequate due to the cost of availing the equipment with only one CT Scan available at the Murang’a Level 5 Hospital. The study’s main objective was to determine the factors influencing availability of modern medical imaging equipment that impact on the health delivery in the Kenyan healthcare systems. Methodology: The methodology utilised by the researcher involved a descriptive research design incorporating a qualitative and quantitative survey. Purposive sampling of both public and private health facilities in Muranga County was done to acquire a representative sample. A sample of 30 health facilities involving 15 public and 15 private ones with a bed capacity of 50, having laboratory services for diagnostic services were sampled for study purposes. Information was gathered using questionnaires, as well as Key In-depth interviews and the response rate was 67%. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, and presented in form of frequency tables, graphs, charts, mean and percentages. Results: From the findings, 72% of the respondents 68% and 59% indicated financing, proper legislations and policies, and effective collaborations with health stakeholders respectively as the major factors affecting the availability of diagnostic imaging equipment in Murang’a County. Further, capacity building of workers and its financing, maintenance of the equipment and acquiring of spare parts were listed as affecting sustainable availability of the equipment. The study concluded that the government should employ resource mobilisation strategies with healthcare stakeholders to acquire medical diagnostic equipment. Further, continued capacity building of staff is crucial to ensure increased skills acquisition, as well as maintenance of equipment. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that the National and County governments allocate more resources, buy more equipment, train more technologists and ease the procurement procedures.