Public private partnerships and sustainability of healthcare infrastructure projects in Isiolo county, Kenya.

Abstract

Isiolo County, like many others, struggles with these issues, making it difficult to provide quality healthcare. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been identified as a potential solution to these challenges, yet their impact on the sustainability of healthcare infrastructure projects remains unclear. This study examined the impact of PPPs on the sustainability of healthcare infrastructure projects, focusing on Isiolo County, Kenya. The study was guided by key objectives: to establish the influence of co-project design and capacity building on the sustainability of healthcare infrastructure projects. The research was underpinned by Systems Theory, and Human Capital Theory, which collectively provide a theoretical framework for understanding the dynamics of PPPs in enhancing project outcomes. A descriptive survey research design was employed, targeting 63 respondents, including members of the PPP Committee, healthcare project managers, and officials from the PPP Unit at the National Treasury. A census approach was used due to the manageable size of the target population. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 28 using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis, to explore the relationships between the study variables. The study findings revealed that capacity building had the most substantial impact on project sustainability (β = 0.299, p = 0.000), followed by co-project design (β = 0.262, p = 0.001). The study recommends emphasizing early stakeholder involvement in project design and continuous capacity building to optimize project outcomes in healthcare PPP arrangements.