Health facility readiness to provide antenatal care (ANC) and non-communicable disease (NCD) services in Nepal and Bangladesh: Analysis of facility-based surveys

What is it about?

Antenatal care (ANC) visits provide an important opportunity for diagnostic, preventive, and curative services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during pregnancy. There is an identified need for an integrated, system-wide approach to provide both ANC and NCD services to improve maternal and child health outcomes in the short and long term. This study assessed the readiness of health facilities to provide ANC and NCD services in Nepal and Bangladesh, identified as low–and middle–income countries.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The present study aimed to explore the readiness of health facilities to provide ANC and NCD services using data from health facilities surveys in two LMICs countries: Nepal and Bangladesh, and assess organizational factors associated with readiness to provide these services. Whilst these two countries have different cultures and practices in relation to healthcare, there are many challenges common to both as LMICs. Information on service readiness to provide ANC and NCD services in these two countries will provide an important insight for policy makers to integrate these services for improving health of women and general population in South Asia and other LMICs. This will also inform the further development of global aims to be achieved in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).