AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES FOR NCD PATIENTS IN UNDERSERVED AREAS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/jbdexn57Keywords:
primary healthcare, , rural health services, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, Health Literacy, Hypertension, , PakistanAbstract
Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders represent a growing public health challenge, particularly in underserved regions. In areas like Sindh, Pakistan, barriers such as insufficient infrastructure, lack of trained personnel, and limited financial resources hinder the effective management of chronic conditions. Strengthening primary healthcare services is essential to address the rising burden of NCDs and reduce long-term health disparities in rural and resource-constrained settings.
Objective: To assess the availability of healthcare services and evaluate the quality of care provided to NCD patients in primary health facilities located in underserved areas of Sindh, Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted across 12 public-sector primary healthcare facilities, including Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centers (RHCs), and Mother and Child Health Centers (MCHCs). A standardized facility audit checklist was used to evaluate the availability of diagnostic tools, essential medicines, trained staff, and referral systems. Additionally, structured interviews were conducted with 300 randomly selected NCD patients aged ≥30 years to assess patient-reported outcomes related to access, affordability, satisfaction, follow-up care, health literacy, and treatment adherence. Descriptive statistics, including means and proportions, were calculated using SPSS version 26.
Results: Only 40% of facilities had basic diagnostic tools, and 35% had healthcare professionals trained in NCD management. Availability of essential medications was reported in 42% of centers, while functional referral systems were present in just 30%. Among patients, 62% reported long waiting times, 50% found care unaffordable, 58% expressed treatment satisfaction, 45% received adequate follow-up, 55% had poor health literacy, and only 47% adhered to treatment plans.
Conclusion: Substantial gaps were identified in both the availability and quality of healthcare services for NCD patients in Sindh’s underserved areas. Targeted interventions including improved infrastructure, workforce training, and enhanced patient education are critical to improving chronic disease outcomes in these settings.
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