The purposes of this evaluation of the Mississippi State Board of Health (SBH) were to determine the compliance of the agency with statutory provisions, to evaluate the effectiveness of the administrative structure, to evaluate the health care resources of the state in relation to the SBH, to conduct a financial management review, and to analyze the control of drugs and medical supplies.
The PEER Committee found that the SBH conformed to provisions in applicable statutes. Although confusion still existed regarding the roles of district health officers and county health officers, the SBH had been successful in providing an effective administrative system. The SBH also effectively administered to the health needs of Mississippians, but a comprehensive health planning agency for the state still needed to be established at the time of this report.
Procedures for budget preparation and adherence as well as internal accounting controls were adequate. Improvements made during this audit helped to correct the inadequate control of stored drugs and other medical supplies at the SBH central warehouse. However, control of drugs and medical supplies at county units remained inadequate.
In the area of sanitation, public health laws contained some weaknesses. Current regulations were difficult to enforce. The SBH needed proper inspection authority and a legal staff to ease these problems.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.