Background: India is experiencing a rapid health transition with a rising burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), causing significant morbidity and mortality. Cost-effective interventions for comprehensive NCD management can only be designed after assessing the readiness of various health facilities.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the preparedness of healthcare facilities of Manipur in the management of NCDs and to assess the knowledge of doctors regarding NCDs.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 21 public healthcare facilities in seven districts of Manipur during October 2021. Readiness of these facilities was assessed through observation and interview of doctors and nurses using a checklist adapted from the WHO Package of Essential NCDs. Knowledge of 153 doctors was also assessed using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. Data were entered in SPSS-26 and expressed using descriptive statistics.
Results: General readiness index of primary health centers (PHCs), community health centers (CHCs), district hospitals (DHs), and tertiary care centers (TCCs) was 47%, 66.3%, 73.2%, and 70%, respectively. CHCs were ready in the domains of patient care services (80%), human resources (75%), and advocacy (91.7%). DHs and TCCs were ready in terms of patient care services, human resources, record maintenance, referral system, and advocacy. PHCs were not ready in any of the nine domains. Majority of the doctors (88%) had inadequate knowledge regarding NCDs.
Conclusion: PHCs and CHCs were not adequately prepared, but DHs and TCCs were ready to manage NCDs. More than four-fifth of the doctors had inadequate knowledge. Strengthening PHCs and CHCs and training of healthcare workers are needed for integrated NCD management.
Keywords: Healthcare facilities; India; WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Diseases; noncommunicable diseases preparedness.