Evaluation of Records Management Practices at the Ministry of Health, Abia State, Nigeria

Records in any organization is very vital and an important asset. This article evaluates records management practices at the Abia State Ministry of Health. This study reports on part of a doctoral research project by Chilaka (2018) that sought to look at the influence of records management practices and organizational culture on good governance in Abia State Civil Service, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to evaluate records management practices at the Ministry of Health and suggest ways in which these practices can be improved upon. The objectives of this study were: to establish the existing records management practices at the Ministry of Health; to examine whether records management practices conform to national legislations, policies and guidelines; to examine whether records management practices at the Ministry of Health conform to international best practices; to establish challenges facing the Ministry of Health in the management of their records and suggest how records management practices can be improved upon by use of best practices.. This study used the survey method approach. Data was collected through questionnaire. The population for this study was 526 civil servants in the senior category (levels 7 – 16); however only 105 (20%) was used as the sample size for the study. 85 (81%) out of 105 were able to participate in the study. Data collected through a questionnaire was analysed to obtain some descriptive statistics. The study findings established that records management at the Ministry of Health were not well entrenched. This was evidenced by lack of framework for effective and efficient records management, lack of institutional policies, guidelines and regulations for records management, and lack of adequate basic records management skills among staff. In order to enhance records management, the study recommended that a regulatory framework for records management should be developed and implemented, the Ministry of Health should formulate institutional policies, guidelines and regulations for records management. It is also recommended that management together with the Records Manager should identify training needs for staff of the Ministry especially those in Administrative and finance departments and have their trainings tailored those areas