A recent study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR) evaluated the preparedness of public and private health facilities to manage diabetes and hypertension across 19 districts in seven states. The cross-sectional survey revealed concerning gaps in the capabilities of different health facility types:
– Public Health Centres (PHCs) are better equipped for diabetes and hypertension care compared to Sub-Centres and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
– The readiness scores for various types of facilities highlighted significant disparities:
– Sub-Centres scored 61%
– CHCs scored 59%
– Public PHCs scored 73%
– Private primary care facilities scored 57%
– District hospitals and private tertiary care facilities scored above 70%, indicating their preparedness.
Overall, 75.7% of the facilities surveyed were public, with more than half classified as primary care centres situated predominantly in rural areas.
Challenges Identified
The study emphasized several critical challenges faced by health facilities in managing diabetes and hypertension:
–There is a pressing need for adequate human resources and specialized training within public health facilities.
-Uninterrupted supply chains for medications are vital for ensuring patient compliance and management of these chronic diseases.
-A notable deficiency in diagnostic capabilities was observed, particularly at district hospitals, which impedes the effective management of complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.
-Strengthening health information systems is essential for monitoring and ensuring the appropriate treatment pathways for patients.
Recommendations for Improvement
Experts have put forth several recommendations to enhance the management of diabetes and hypertension:
– Upgrading primary healthcare facilities and enhancing their diagnostic capabilities to ensure comprehensive care.
– Implementing continuous professional development and training for healthcare workers to improve service delivery.
– Encouraging government policies that focus on the integration of NCD management within primary healthcare, ensuring all facilities are capable of handling chronic disease patients.
– Raising awareness about diabetes and hypertension detection and management in communities, particularly in rural areas.
-Raja Aditya
