Perception of health workers on availability of medicines for non-communicable diseases in public health facilities in Lesotho

Abstract Background Medicines for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are essential in the management of patients with NCDs therefore, it is important that they are readily available to patients at health facilities. Objective This study aimed to assess the availability of medicines used in the management of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma and epilepsy in public outpatient departments (OPDs) and healthcare centres in Lesotho. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at public OPDs in district hospitals and healthcare centres in Lesotho using self-administered structured questionnaires targeting all health workers in managerial positions. Ethical approval was obtained from a licenced Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (Ethics number: 00048-18-A1) and the Ministry of Health Ethics Committee and Review Board of Lesotho (ID120-2018). Data were analysed descriptively. Results Ten of 16 respondents at OPDs perceived that medicines for diabetes mellitus were available and nine thought those for hypertension and asthma were available. Eight of 16 respondents perceived that medicines for epilepsy were available at OPDs. At healthcare centres, 73.3% (n = 63) of respondents perceived that medicines for diabetes mellitus were available, 62.8% (n = 54) thought hypertension medicines were available, 68.6% (n = 59) indicated that medicines for asthma were available, and 61.6% (n = 53) perceived that medicines for epilepsy were also available. Conclusion The majority of health workers at OPDs and healthcare centres perceived that medicines for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma and epilepsy were available at health facilities. Thus, suggesting that the public health facilities in Lesotho seem to almost always have medicines for NCDs.