Abstract:
To measure the technical efficiency of commune health centers in rural Red river delta region in 2006, including 495 commune health centers (CHCs) from the 11 provinces. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) method is used to analyze technical efficiency and ordinary least square regression is used to determine inefficiency score. DEA results showed the average constant return to scale technical efficiency score was 0.472 and the average variable return to scale technical efficiency score was 0.518. The results indicate that the level of technical efficiency in health center is rather low. Regarding the determination of technical efficiency, it is found that staff salary and free-in charge drugs has a positive impact on technical efficiency. Health center in Hanoi has lower technical efficiency than others under constant return to scale assumption. As a result, an increase in compensation to rise motivation of health staffs as an expansion of free of charge drug to attract more patients to utilize CHCs are suggested on policy options
