Table 2 Preferred provider attributes
Attribute | Government facility | Private clinic or drug shop | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Attend to clients fast | No | Yes | Some times one waits at government facilities and does not get treatment |
2. Can attend to the child any time of day or night | No | Yes | At night it is difficult to go to government facilities because they are far |
3. Are nearby | No | Yes | Sometimes the cost of transport is more than the cost of treatment |
4. Have drugs in constant supply | No | Yes | Drug shops do not have the new anti-malarials of Coartem® |
5. Can conduct investigations | Yes | No | Investigations are needed to find out why previous treatment did not work |
6. Have qualified workers | Yes | No | Drug shops have unqualified workers but there is no choice, caretakers have to use them |
7. Handle complicated illnesses | Yes | No | Without the lab, there is need for investigations and drug shops do not have that capacity |