ABSTRACT
Background: Publicprivate partnership (PPP) has become a popular model used by public sector organizations that are usually under-funded by their respective governments to render services in fulfillment of their egalitarian responsibilities and goals. Lately, the health sector has been a recipient of such initiatives and the trend is growing. However, the successful delivery of services to patients is sometimes hampered because of difficulties encountered in both the development and interpretation of clauses contained in agreements including Memoranda of Understanding between the parties. The anticipated outcomes and impact often remain elusive due to the tensions encountered during implementation.Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the current operational status as well as explore potential benefits and challenges of the use of the PPP model in radiology departments of selected teaching hospitals within three South-Western States of Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo). It is hoped that the study findings would provide useful data needed for improvement of the PPP model as it is being currently practiced.Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative study in which 138 closed- and open-ended questionnaires were administered to all cadres of staff in radiology departments of the selected hospitals teaching hospitals within three South-Western States of Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo).Results: There was a 100% response from the participants. The age range of the participants was 2565 years. Study findings showed that almost all radiological equipment can be acquired through PPP. There was improved service delivery and residency training with PPP. Jurisdictional conflict was the greatest challenge.Conclusion: PPP is a viable option that should be encouraged by government for the purchase of equipment in hospitals
Subject(s)
Hospitals, Teaching , Lakes , Nigeria , Public-Private Sector Partnerships , RadiologyABSTRACT
Background: The use of ultrasonography in the pre-operative localisation of undescended testes has become controversial due to fears about its accuracy. This study was designed to ascertain the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of ultrasonography in the localisation of the undescended testes in children. Patients and Methods: A prospective evaluation of all boys undergoing operation for undescended testes at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, over a 12 month period was performed. The pre-operative clinical and ultrasound findings were compared with the findings on surgical exploration. Results: Forty boys with 52 undescended testes were studied. The mean age of the boys at the time of surgery was 4.0 ± 0 years (range 1-11 years). Forty-six (88.5%) testes were localised pre-operatively by ultrasound- 20 of 22 (90.9%) palpable testes and 26 of 30 (86.7%) non-palpable testes. Intra-operatively, 49 (94.2%) of the undescended testes were found while 3 (5.8%) were absent/vanishing testes. Ultrasound evaluation had an accuracy of 86.5%, sensitivity of 89.8%, and specificity of 33.3%, PPV of 95.7% and a NPV of 16.7%. Conclusion: Ultrasound assessment is beneficial in pre-operative evaluation of children with undescended testes