Readiness of Southeast Asian Primary Healthcare Facilities for Asthma Management: A Literature Review

Ayesha Early Santoso¹, Alfian Nur Rosyid^2*, Ivan Rahmatullah³

Abstract

Introduction: Asthma is a major noncommunicable disease causing high mortality rates in Southeast Asia, where primary care serves as the initial management point. According to the WHO-SARA, primary care readiness is measured by the availability of trained staff, guidelines, diagnostic equipment, and essential medicines. Objective: This study aimed to review and evaluate primary healthcare (PHC) facilities’ readiness in Southeast Asian countries to manage asthma across key readiness domains. Methods: We conducted a narrative synthesis of recent literature, reviewing journal articles, official websites, and clinical guidelines from Southeast Asian countries that report data on primary care readiness. Results: Access to spirometry is severely limited and underused because of equipment shortages and low physician confidence. Peak flow meters are more accessible but inconsistently used. Recommended first-line Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS)-LABA combinations are underused and poorly available because of high costs, supply chain gaps, and restrictive national health policies, leading to widespread overreliance on Short-Acting Beta-Agonists (SABA). Significant knowledge gaps remain among healthcare providers regarding GINA guidelines, inhaler counseling, and interpretation of diagnostic tests. While most countries have national guidelines, documented evidence of facility-level protocol availability remains scarce. Conclusion: Primary healthcare facilities in Southeast Asia exhibit suboptimal and uneven readiness for asthma management. Addressing these gaps requires tiered diagnostic strategies, expanded access to controller medications, and interprofessional training. Furthermore, research evaluating PHC readiness across the region remains scarce, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive studies to guide policy reform.

Keywords

asthma management; healthcare readiness; primary healthcare; Southeast Asia

Cite This Article

Santoso, A., Rosyid, A. N., Rahmatullah, I. (2026). Readiness of Southeast Asian Primary Healthcare Facilities for Asthma Management: A Literature Review. International Journal of Scientific Advances (IJSCIA), Volume 7| Issue 6: Nov – Dec 2026, Pages 903-918. URL: https://www.ijscia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Volume7-Issue6-Nov-Dec-No.1112-903-918.pdf

Volume 7 | Issue 6: Nov – Dec 2026