Ethical Guidelines in Public Hospitals’ Supply Chain Stakeholders: A Case of Muhimbili National Hospital, 2020.

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to assess adherence to ethical guidelines in public hospitals supply Chain Stakeholders. In line with this general objective, the specific objectives were to assess the effectiveness of the internal control system at Muhimbili National Hospital, determine challenges facing Supply Chain Stakeholders and their awareness regarding ethical guidelines in Supply Chain at Muhimbili National Hospital. The researcher applied the deontological ethical theory. The research design of the study was a case study design. The sample size was 289 from Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), both open and closed questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to get information from the respondents. The findings revealed that some challenges affect adherence to supply chain ethical guidelines in public hospitals among Supply Chain Stakeholders. The study indicates that compliance on Supply Chain ethical guidelines was very low below the average level of 50% and hence to the large extent hinders the adherence to supply chain ethical guidelines at Muhimbili National Hospital. Furthermore, the study found that regarding the awareness, some respondents were aware of supply chain practices but few respondents were aware of the supply chain ethical guidelines at MNH. This study indicates that majority of the respondents approached, were not aware of the place at MNH where they can access the supply chain ethical guidelines. Recommendations were provided to MNH, government, policymakers and other practitioners of supply chain practices in Tanzania.