Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of expenditure control methods in government-owned hospitals and privately-owned hospitals. Effective management of finances is crucial for the sustainability and success of any healthcare institution. Government-owned hospitals and privately-owned hospitals operate under different frameworks and face distinct challenges when it comes to controlling expenditures. By examining the expenditure control methods employed by these two types of hospitals, this research seeks to identify best practices and areas for improvement in financial management. The research will utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights from key stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Financial reports and budgets from a sample of government-owned hospitals and privately-owned hospitals will be analyzed to compare the use of expenditure control methods such as budgeting, variance analysis, and cost control measures. In addition, interviews will be conducted with hospital administrators, financial officers, and policymakers to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing expenditure control practices in each type of hospital. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights for hospital administrators, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in healthcare finance management. By identifying the strengths and weaknesses of expenditure control methods in government-owned hospitals and privately-owned hospitals, this research aims to contribute to the development of more effective financial management strategies for healthcare institutions. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the financial sustainability and performance of hospitals, leading to improved healthcare services for patients and better overall outcomes for the healthcare system. Keywords expenditure control, government-owned hospitals, privately-owned hospitals, financial management, healthcare finance, budgeting, cost control, variance analysis, sustainability.

Thesis Overview

1.0      INTRODUCTION

Introduction organisation with exception of every minute and unorganized ones, there is a process known as expenditure control or cost control which is a part of management control process.

This process is very important to any organisation be it a profit maximizing organisation or non profit maximizing organisation.  Thus is because lack of this practice in any organisation will cause misapplication of cash in cash disbursement process and this will create a very big problem leading the organisation into deficit and at an extreme case the organisation might fold up

(ie liquidation)  Many research have bee conducted in the  reason for folding up of companies and organisation in which lack of expenditure control process had been found responsible.

Expenditure control has been defined as the process by which managers utilizes effectively and efficiently the scarce resources in the achievement of organisational goal.  At this juncture let us look at expenditure and control from a separate perspective.

  Expenditure:  It is the total amount spent on the process of trying to achieve a particular goal.  This amount spent might be regained if the goal is not achieved.

Control:  Is the fact of making things world in a way the is required.  It is also the used by either government of official organisation to make restrictions on wages increases, immigrate credit and so on (which are all expenditure)

As regards to this project topic which is a comparative study of expenditure control methods in governments ownes and privately owned hospitals.  A case study of university of Nigerian Teaching Hospital, Enugu.  (UNTH) and Toronto hospital and Maternity Onitsha.

This implying a comparative study of non-profit-making organisations, since UNTH is government owned hospital while Toronto is privately owned hospital as a category is of non profit making organisation are characterized by the following:

a.         There is neither a conscious profit motive nor an expectation of earning net income.

b.         No part any excess of revenues over expenditure is distributed to those who contributed support through taxes and voluntary donations.

c.         Any excess of revenue over expenditure that results form operations in the short run is ordinarily used on later years to further the purpose of the organisation.