Healthcare Access and Challenges Faced by People Living with HIV: Evidence from Chaukune Rural Municipality, Surkhet

This study examines healthcare access and related challenges faced by HIV-infected individuals (PLHIV) in Chaukune Rural Municipality. It assesses the availability, affordability, and utilization of health services while identifying the structural, economic, and social barriers that hinder effective access. A descriptive research design was adopted using purposive sampling. Primary data were collected through interview schedules from 55 respondents selected through snowball sampling. The findings indicate that although free healthcare services and government support programs are available, access remains constrained by poverty, stigma, limited transportation, and inadequate local health facilities. Many respondents experience irregular treatment adherence due to financial hardship and social discrimination. Food insecurity and unstable income further weaken their ability to seek timely medical care. The study highlights the persistent gaps between service provision and actual accessibility, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and community-sensitive healthcare interventions in rural areas.