The Socio_-Cultural Challneges in Delivering Tuberculosis Care Package at Public Hospitals, Islamabad

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a contagious, airborne disease and also considered as one of the prevalent diseases. Pakistan ranks eighth position among the high burden TB countries. Pakistan contributes 44% of burden in Mediterranean Region. According to the WHO, 5.1% percent TB patients are the total national disease burden in Pakistan. The study analyzed the extent of problems faced by the care providers, the challenges faced in identification of the disease and during diagnosis, Problems faced in counseling of the patients and for follow up. It also observed the challenges which health providers face every day while treating chronic patients. It is a qualitative research carried out at Pakistan Institute of Management sciences. The data is collected through in-depth interviews. According to DOTS quarterly report 2015, one hundred and ninety nine patients were diagnosed with TB in PIMS hospital. The care providers have to face a lot of problems such as lack of human resource, patient load, patient’s compliance, gender discrimination, time constraint, misconception about the curability and the stigmatization attached to the disease, ineffective counseling sessions and inefficient programs for follow up. This clearly shows the failure of hospital management and TB treatment is not made effective according to the TB guidelines.