Reorienting Primary Health Care Services for Non-Communicable Diseases

A Comparative Preparedness Assessment of Two Healthcare Networks in Malawi and Zambia

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15460705
AutoresVeronica Shiroya (0000-0003-1772-9116, Heidelberg University, autor de correspondencia), Naonga Shawa (Chreso Ministries), Beatrice Matanje (0000-0002-8268-8990, Kamuzu Central Hospital), John Haloka (Chreso Ministries), Elvis Safary (0000-0002-2341-7760, Heidelberg University), Chikondi Nkhweliwa (Kamuzu Central Hospital), Olaf Mueller (Heidelberg University), Sam Phiri (0000-0002-9372-212X, Kamuzu Central Hospital), Florian Neuhann (0000-0001-5944-1597, Heidelberg University), Andreas Deckert (0000-0003-0526-6249, Heidelberg University)
Año2021
Volumen18
Número9
Páginas5044-5044
Fecha de publicación2021-05-10
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18095044
PMID34068818
OpenAlexW3161373862
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas31

Despite positive NCD policies in recent years, majority of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) health systems are inadequately prepared to deliver comprehensive first-line care for NCDs. Primary health care (PHC) settings in countries like Malawi and Zambia could be a doorway to effectively manage NCDs by moving away from delivering only episodic care to providing an integrated approach over time. As part of a collaborative health system strengthening project, we assessed and compared the preparedness and operational capacity of two target networks of public PHC settings in Lilongwe (Malawi) and Lusaka (Zambia) to integrate NCD services within routine service delivery. Data was collected and analyzed using validated health facility survey tools. These baseline assessments conducted between August 2018 and March 2019, also included interviews with 20 on-site health personnel and focal persons, who described existing barriers in delivering NCD services. In both countries, policy directives to decentralize disease-specific NCD services to the primary care level were initiated to meet increased demand but lacked operational guidance. In general, the assessed PHC sites were inadequately prepared to integrate NCDs into various service delivery domains, thus requiring further support. In spite of existing multi-faceted limitations, there was motivation among healthcare staff to provide NCD services

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