Table 2 Summary of patients’ and HPs suggestions on how care for HF can be improved

Improving HPs

 HPs improving communication by having empathy, listening and paying attention to their needs

 HPs exhibiting professional behaviour exemplified by being respectful, giving feedback on tests and treatments and involving patients and family in decision making

 Improving skills of HPs and building capacity for staff in lower health centres so that they are able to identify and manage HF with new effective drugs in the lower health centers and increasing number of staff trained in cardiology in all hospitals

Improving other factors in the health system

 Improving availability of medicines, tests and investigations for HF in all hospitals.

 Providing Services for psychosocial support

 Better coordination of care to reduce delays in the emergency room and HF clinics

 Having other criteria for discharge of those admitted with HF other than using the length of stay in hospital

 Improving lower health care centers in diagnosis and treatment of HF and strengthening the referral system so as to decongest the National referral hospital so that patients could be followed up near their homes

 Introducing screening services for early identification of heart disease so that treatment can be instituted early

 Having community and home based care services to improve follow up of patients

 Investing in advanced surgical treatments for HF that were considered curative

 Health education of the public for prevention of heart disease, early referral and seeking care

 Integrating palliative care in HF care