Fostering service ethics code in public institutions: the case of Muhimbili National Hospital and Mwananyamala district Hospital

The study was to examine the efficacy in the fostering of the Service Ethics Code in Public Institutions. This is because the reforms undertaken in the public service have emphasized ethical conduct in public service delivery. The study adopted a case study approach focusing on Muhimbili National Hospital and Mwananyamala District Hospital in Dar es Salaam. The study was qualitative in nature and utilized questionnaires and interviews to gather information from doctors, nurses, hospitals’ management and professional associations. The study has revealed that the ethics code enforcement is obstructed by factors such as paternalism, double standards in dealing with unethical cases as well as the poor remuneration of medical doctors and nurses and lack of effective supervision, which have accelerated the unprofessional behavior in health service delivery, thus causing customer dissatisfaction. It is concluded from this study that the curbing of professional misconduct behavior in the public service should be more proactive instead of being reactive. It is recommended that ethics training to all cadres of professionals should be offered regularly and rewards should be offered for good behavior in order to strengthen a culture of individual self policing and discourage professional misconduct.