Motivation and staff performance in public hospitals in Uganda: A case study of Jinja Referral Hospital

Abstract

The study was carried out to examine how motivation enhances performance in public hospitals in Uganda basing on Jinja referral Hospital as a case study. The public hospital has policies that are formulated by the public service commission of Uganda and procedures that guide employee performance as indicated in the policy manual 2016. Much as this mechanism is in place , performance at JRH is not as expected because there are a few indicators of staff dissatisfaction especially at lower levels of management. This study employed a phenomenological approach. The study targeted total population of 125 from Jinja referral hospital staff and a sample of 95 respondents was selected using Neumann formula (2000). A descriptive research design was employed and both quantitative and qualitative approaches of data collection were used. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. The Findings indicted how qualified staffs are rewarded with attractive remuneration according to their level of education and positions that they hold in the institution according to the different tasks that they perform varying from one department to another. Furthermore, findings indicated that how management of JRH ensures resources and tools to enhance staff performance are provided and this does contribute for their staff to increase their productivity by enabling them to move forward their career and education through this at the end of the accomplishment , ones his salary is increased and together with responsibility ,bonuses given and this contributes to the confidence of staff about job skills as medical personal and capabilities. Lastly, findings indicated that JRH through the provision of adequate office space for staff to execute their duties and obligations, staff are able to achieve the targets made as an institution and are easily met. It was found out that at a certain extent these employees are not motivated to perform as expected as a result of low pay because they need salary increment at the different levels they work or different departments. The study recommends that JRH should ensure heads of departments are well experienced in management of their subordinates so as to motivate them to ensure they accomplish tasks as required and JRH should increase on the incentives given to staff in order to boost their performance.