General Introduction to Administrative/Legal Problems of Health Institutions

Abstract

Management of health institutions, like many other endeavours, is regulated by law. There is therefore the need for health managers to familiarise themselves with the laws affecting their institutions. The health manager must know the functions, powers and limitations of different statutory or established organs within his institution to ensure that decisions are validly made. Good record-keeping which include careful preservation of documents is of equal importance as documentary record constitute primary evidence in the event of dispute and litigation. The health manager must also be familiar with the laws of meetings and communication, and use them effectively in management to ensure effectiveness and validity of his actions. Finally, it is mandatory for the health manager to ensure that the various health professionals employed in his institution are duly registered and licensed to practise their respective professions, because the employment of unregistered and unlicensed professionals amount to an offence under the law.



Key words: Legal; Administrative; Health Institution; Record-keeping; Documents; Meetings; Communication; Health Professionals.


[Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.1(1) 2002: 35-40]