The goal of this study was to assess the accessibility of Free Health Services by the
elderly people in public health facilities account from the street-level bureaucrats and
the clients in the implementation of National Ageing Policy in Morogoro
Municipality. Three wards of kilakala, Bigwa and Sabasaba were selected to be the
study area. The target population was elderly people public health providers and
people working with elderly in the municipality. Mixed methods of research designs
were used namely qualitative and quantitative methods. The researcher used
interview method, questionnaires and documents reviews as the tools for data
collections. Sixty three respondents were used as a sample of the study, to which
male respondents were 30 and female 33 respectively. The selection of respondents
was based on both purposive and random sampling techniques. In this study cross
sectional study design was employed. The study findings revealed that National
Ageing Policy is not well implemented in the implementation process, as there is a
gap between what the policy advocates and its practices on the ground. 38% of
respondents had low understanding on the concept, process and procedures when it
comes to the free health services implementation. And that 59% of respondents showed
their dissatisfaction on the services provided by free health services providers. Also, the
findings show that 79% of respondents view that lack of Act and by-laws to support National
Ageing Policy on free health services hinders their access to the health services. The study
further observes that waiting time for Free Health Service affects their access to the services.
92% of them mentioned drugs shortage specifically drugs relating to age-related diseases
affects negatively their access to the free health service.
The researcher recommends for a government to ensure sufficient drugs are available
at health facilities and are accessed by the elderly in all public health facilities. Also,
special window for elderly at health facilities should be introduced and be used to
reduce waiting time by the elderly when seeking the services. Local authority is
advised to ensure elderly have health identity cards for easily identification and
documentations when seeking the services. Moreover, health providers should work
with other stakeholders to disseminate information regarding provision of free health
services to the elderly people.