Operation of Tuberculosis Clinic among Non-Thai Patients in Health Care Facilities, Samut Prakarn Province

Abstract

            Tuberculosis (TB) was still a major problem in Samut Prakan Province and a quarter of TB cases were Non-Thai citizens. This qualitative research aimed to describe both inputs and operational process of TB clinics for Non-Thai patients (NTPs) in Samut Prakan Province. The research had been done in 17 TB Clinics. All research information were collected by interviewing and gathering related documents. The results found that the input of TB clinics as of; 8 of 17 TB clinics did not have a clinic for NTPs; 9 of 17 TB clinics were insufficient health personnel for service providing; 5 of 17 TB clinics had enough interpreters; and 12 of 17 TB clinics did not receive a budget. According to the operational management showed that all public hospitals using Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) method to monitor medicines intake whilst follow-up system using telephone calls method in both public and private hospitals but for Sub-district Health Promoting Hospitals (SDHPH) followed up patients by home visit. The referral system for NTPs could be provided by public hospitals only among SDHPHs and municipality public health centers but some private hospitals might have referral system. Moreover, the service coverage found that all public hospitals were able to cover all activities when private hospitals could cover some activities. The suggestion from this study is every hospital should provide interpreters and communication materials as well as One Stop Service of TB clinics for NTPs.