An analysis of primary healthcare in terms of service management standards in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates the implementation of the service management quality standards set by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government at primary health care facilities (PHCFs) in district Kohistan. Primary data through a questionnaire was collected from 42 functional PHCFs of district Kohistan. A total of 142 responses were recorded which includes 42 responses from the incharge of PHCFs and 100 from the patients who attended PHCFs facilities. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyze this collected data. Most of the service management standards were not met in rural health centers (RHCs) However, the state of affairs at Civil Dispensary (CDs) and Basic Health Unit (BHUs) was terrifying. This study identifies the weak areas which require quality enhancement. This study suggests quality improvement in Primary Care Management Committee, A list of notifiable diseases, Essential Equipment, Rubbish Pit, waiting area, SOPs and Guidelines, and Duty roaster, Copy of Job Description, Guidelines for Risks, and Hazards and Patient’s Feedback Mechanism and Complaint Box. This study suggests that the KP government must defy trouble areas identified by the current study to improve health facilities in PHCFs.This will also reduce the patient's pressure in tertiary health facilities.