Title:
MANAGING CONFLICTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN TANZANIA: THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF CONFLICTS

Authors:
Ngirwa, C. ,Jaensson, J-E and Barongo, F. ,Tanzania

Abstract:
Conflicts can be viewed as a situation of competition or incompatibility between people, organizations or nations and the parties in conflict are aware of the situation. Employing different strategies to manage conflict situations would enhance job performance. Drawing from the conflict management strategies, this study explored the underlying causes of conflicts between medical doctors and the government in public hospitals in Tanzania. The qualitative findings from 22 medical doctors from the two public hospitals (Muhimbili National Hospital and Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital) revealed that poor working facilities, unavailability of medicines, patients overcrowding, shortage of staff (Doctors), remunerations, doctors promotions, medical insurance scheme, hardship allowance, overtime allowance and call allowances were the main causes of conflict between medical doctors and the government. The findings suggest that despite of the scarcity of resources on the side of the government, it could have conducted a series of meetings to discuss and lay down some strategies to manage the conflict in public hospitals and improve working environment that would engender favorable doctors’ career-wellbeing