Case study on Provincial Specific Development Grant allocation for Regional Directorate of Health Services, in Western Province, Sri Lanka

Background: The case study delves into the Provincial Specific Development Grant (PSDG) allocation for the Regional Directorate of Health Services (RDHS) in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The Western Province, being the smallest and most densely populated, comprises three RDHS divisions: Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara. This study assesses the methodology used for PSDG apportionment, considering factors such as demography, epidemiology, health status, and annual regional performance.Objective: To assess the methodology used for the apportionment of PSDG to RDHS regions of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara by PDHS, WP.Methods: Examining health sector expenditure, demographic and health status indicators, and regional performance, the study highlights the need for a clear system to generate, collect, and interpret performance data.Results: The study identifies "Annual Regional Performance" as the prioritized problem. Lack of a clear system for data management, inadequate performance information, and traditional monitoring practices contribute to this issue. The study recommends implementing Result-Based Management (RBM) approaches at the provincial level, to conduct workshops on RBM to build awareness among regional officers, to develop Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for measuring medium-term results and ensure fair PSDG allocation through scientific criteria and a scoring system.Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of a systematic and scientific approach to PSDG allocation, aiming for efficient and equitable distribution to address the unique needs of each RDHS region.