IMPROVING HEALTHCARE SERVICE DELIVERY IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN NIGERIA THROUGH EFFECTIVE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

Effective healthcare service delivery is crucial for achieving optimal health outcomes. In Northern Nigeria, tertiary hospitals face numerous challenges, including resource constraints, limited infrastructure, and socio-economic barriers, which hinder the delivery of quality healthcare. Stakeholder engagement has emerged as a key strategy for addressing these challenges by fostering collaboration, enhancing communication, and leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise. This study aims to design and implement a strategic framework to enhance stakeholder engagement in a tertiary hospital. By examining the roles and contributions of various stakeholders, the study seeks to identify strategies that improve service efficiency, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare quality in a tertiary hospital. Qualitative interviews, advocacy visits and focus group workshops were used. Stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, administrative staff, and external partners, were engaged to gather comprehensive insights. Data was collected on current engagement practices, service delivery outcomes, and stakeholder experiences. The findings indicate that multilevel stakeholder engagement significantly enhances healthcare service delivery. Key improvement areas were identified such as patient care coordination, resource allocation, and service responsiveness. Stakeholders projected higher levels of satisfaction and a greater sense of ownership and collaboration. The implementation of strategic engagement frameworks facilitated better communication, reduced service delivery gaps, and promoted a culture of continuous improvement. This study demonstrates that effective stakeholder engagement is a viable and impactful strategy for improving healthcare service delivery in tertiary hospitals. By fostering a collaborative environment and involving diverse stakeholders, healthcare institutions can overcome existing challenges and enhance service quality