Technical efficiency of public health facilities in Punjab, Pakistan: application of a two-stage data envelopment analysis.

BACKGROUND

This study analyses the technical efficiency of public health facilities in Punjab, Pakistan, using a two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. The study focuses on family planning service delivery, addressing suboptimal contraceptive prevalence, and service utilization.

METHODS

Data were collected from 100 public health facilities managed by the Primary and Secondary Health Department, with 50 from the Delivering Accelerated Family Planning in Pakistan (DAFPAK) project and 50 non-cohort facilities. DEA was used to assess technical efficiency, considering inputs such as contraceptive stock, staff availability, and facility size. In addition, we used the Simar-Wilson regression to analyse the influence of environmental factors.

RESULTS

The average efficiency score was 78%, with variations across facility types. Basic Health Units and Rural Health Centers showed significant resource optimization gaps. A negative association was observed between the number of other healthcare providers in the catchment area and facility efficiency, indicating the importance of aligning service provision with local demand.

CONCLUSION

DEA effectively identifies inefficiencies and informs resource optimization in public health facilities in Punjab. The findings offer valuable insights for improving family planning services and healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.