Eradicating Malaria in Benin: Does the Productive Efficiency of Public Hospitals Matter?

Abstract

This paper analyses the Determinants of the productive efficiency of public hospitals in Benin. Using panel data collected from 12 Benin's departments over the period 2013-2017, the results show that the average efficiency score is 67.18%. This reflects significant levels of inefficiencies. In addition, estimates from a Tobit model show that, the attendance rate, the number of medical staff, and the number of nursing staff positively explain the efficiency scores. However, population density acts negatively. These results suggest that measures to improve the attendance rate and increase in health personnel as a function of density in departments are needed to increase the efficiency of public hospitals in eradicating malaria.