Non-communicable Diseases Services Research Articles

Primary Health Care Model for Non-Communicable Diseases Management during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Given the importance of appropriate response to prevent and manage Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), this study aimed to analyze the state of NCDs services at the level of the PHC system during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the main strategies. In this qualitative study, first, the circulars and guides in Iran's PHC system from the beginning of the pandemic to the end of September 2020 were retrieved manually and by searching the internal websites of the Ministry of Health. All documents about decision-making or governance and coordination mechanisms for the provision of NCDs services were enrolled and analyzed. In the second phase, the status of service delivery for major NCDs was presented in a model, and finally, SWOT analysis was used to analyze the situation and determine the main strategies. 25 out of 199 circulars and guides were eligible and analyzed. In the crisis phase, most risk assessment, screening, and diagnosis services for NCDs have been suspended, and follow-up and care of patients with major NCDs were done by telephone. In the reopening phase, the general strategies and strategies to increase capacity and provide delayed care were adopted, and the PHC model of the provision of essential services for the major NCDs was developed in low-risk, intermediate and high-risk pandemic conditions. Finally, 16 main strategies were determined with the approach of integrating and focusing on essential services, considering vulnerable groups and the use of E-health technologies. The results indicate on interruption of NCDs services in the crisis phase while adopting strategies for responding to the pandemic. Revision of the COVID-19 guides with a particular focus on NCDs is recommended.

Identifying the impact of COVID-19 on health systems and lessons for future emergency preparedness: A stakeholder analysis in Kenya.

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has triggered a public health and economic crisis in high and low resource settings since the beginning of 2020. With the first case being discovered on 12th March 2020, Kenya has responded by using health and non-health strategies to mitigate the direct and indirect impact of the disease on its population. However, this has had positive and negative implications for the country's overall health system. This paper aimed to understand the pandemic's impact and develop lessons for future response by identifying the key challenges and opportunities Kenya faced during the pandemic. We conducted a qualitative study with 15 key informants, purposefully sampled for in-depth interviews from September 2020 to February 2021. We conducted direct content analysis of the transcripts to understand the stakeholder's views and perceptions of how COVID-19 has affected the Kenyan healthcare system. Most of the respondents noted that Kenya's initial response was relatively good, especially in controlling the pandemic with the resources it had at the time. This included relaying information to citizens, creating technical working groups and fostering multisectoral collaboration. However, concerns were raised regarding service disruption and impact on reproductive health, HIV, TB, and non-communicable diseases services; poor coordination between the national and county governments; shortage of personal protective equipment and testing kits; and strain of human resources for health. Effective pandemic preparedness for future response calls for improved investments across the health system building blocks, including; human resources for health, financing, infrastructure, information, leadership, service delivery and medical products and technologies. These strategies will help build resilient health systems and improve self-reliance, especially for countries transitioning from donor aid such as Kenya in the event of a pandemic.

Stochastic frontier approach to efficiency analysis of health facilities in providing services for non-communicable diseases in eight LMICs.

The rising burden of non-communicable diseases presents an increasing public health challenge to many low- and middle-income countries. This problem may be compounded in health systems with lower levels of technical efficiency (TE). This study used recent Service Provision Assessments data to estimate the level of TEs of health facilities in eight countries. Initially, the general and disease-specific service readiness indexes are estimated. Finally, the production function is estimated using the exposures and the outcomes of the model. Evidence shows that the general and disease-specific service readiness indexes are significantly associated with an increase in the number of outpatient visits. Outpatient visits may increase by 14% with an increase in health worker density. Similarly, outpatient visits may increase by 0.3% with a unit increase in the general and diabetes service readiness indexes. Furthermore, outpatient visits may increase by 0.4% and 0.8% with an increase in services readiness for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. respectively. Overall, the level of TE score suggests the need for improvement. Facility-level service readiness for chronic diseases is quite low. Therefore, improving health outcomes related to chronic diseases requires urgent investment in high-quality health systems in these countries.

Preference and willingness to receive non-communicable disease services from primary healthcare facilities in Bangladesh: A qualitative study

BackgroundIn Bangladesh, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing rapidly and account for approximately 68% of mortality and 64% of disease burden. NCD services have been significantly mobilized to primary healthcare (PHC) facilities to better manage the rising burden of NCDs. However, little is known about community members’ preference and willingness to receive NCD services from PHC facilities; therefore, this particular subject is the focus of this study.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted from May 2021 to October 2021. Data were collected via 16 focus group discussions involving community members and 14 key informant interviews with healthcare professionals, facility managers, and public health practitioners. Based on a social-ecological model (SEM), data were analyzed thematically. The triangulation of methods and participants was conducted to validate the information provided.ResultsPreference and willingness to receive NCD services from PHC facilities were influenced by a range of individual, interpersonal, societal, and organizational factors that were interconnected and influenced each other. Knowledge and the perceived need for NCD care, misperception, self-management, interpersonal, and family-level factors played important roles in using PHC facilities. Community and societal factors (i.e., the availability of alternative and complementary services, traditional practices, social norms) and organizational and health system factors (i.e., a shortage of medicines, diagnostic capacity, untrained human resources, and poor quality of care) also emerged as key aspects that influenced preference and willingness to receive NCD services from PHC facilities.ConclusionDespite their substantial potential, PHC facilities may not take full advantage of managing NCDs. All four factors need to be considered when developing NCD service interventions in the primary healthcare system to better address the rising burden of NCDs.

Health system challenges and opportunities in organizing non-communicable diseases services delivery at primary healthcare level in Bangladesh: A qualitative study.

The weak health system is viewed as a major systematic obstacle to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in resource-poor settings. There is little information about the health system challenges and opportunities in organizing NCD services. This study examined the health system challenges and opportunities in organizing NCD services for four major NCDs (cervical cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory illnesses) at the primary healthcare (PHC) level in Bangladesh. Using a qualitative method, data were collected from May to October 2021 by conducting 15 in-depth interviews with local healthcare providers, 14 key informant interviews with facility-based providers and managers, and 16 focus group discussions with community members. Based on a health system dynamics framework, data were analyzed thematically. Information gathered through the methods and sources was triangulated to validate the data. Organization of NCD services at the PHC level was influenced by a wide range of health system factors, including the lack of using standard treatment guidelines and protocols, under-regulated informal and profit-based private healthcare sectors, poor health information system and record-keeping, and poor coordination across healthcare providers and platforms. Furthermore, the lack of functional referral services; inadequate medicine, diagnostic facilities, and logistics supply; and a large number of untrained human resources emerged as key weaknesses that affected the organization of NCD services. The availability of NCD-related policy documents, the vast network of healthcare infrastructure and frontline staff, and increased demand for NCD services were identified as the major opportunities. Despite the substantial potential, the health system challenge impeded the organization of NCD services delivery at the PHC level. This weakness needs be to addressed to organize quality NCD services to better respond to the rising burden of NCDs at the PHC level.

Economic evaluation of integrated services for non-communicable diseases and HIV: costs and client outcomes in rural Malawi

ObjectiveTo evaluate the costs and client outcomes associated with integrating screening and treatment for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) into HIV services in a rural and remote part in southeastern Africa.DesignProspective cohort...

Socioeconomic and Medical Vulnerabilities Among Syrian Refugees with Non-communicable Diseases Attending Médecins Sans Frontières Services in Irbid, Jordan

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are high-prevalence health problems among Syrian refugees. In 2014, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) identified unmet NCD care needs and began providing free-of-charge services for Syrian refugees in Irbid, Jordan. This study aimed to describe current socioeconomic and medical vulnerabilities among MSF Irbid Syrian refugee patients and their households and raise awareness of their ongoing health needs that must be addressed. A cross-sectional survey among Syrian refugees attending MSF NCD services in Irbid Governorate, Jordan was conducted by telephone interviews in January 2021 to query sociodemographic characteristics, economic situation, self-reported NCD prevalence, and Ministry of Health (MoH) policy awareness. Descriptive analysis of indicators included proportions or means presented with 95% confidence intervals. The survey included 350 patient-participants in 350 households and 2157 household members. Mean age was 28.3 years. Only 13.5% of household members had paid or self-employed work; 44% of households had no working members. Mean monthly income was 258.3 JOD (95%CI: 243.5–273.1) per household. Mean expenditures were 320.0 JOD (95%CI: 305.1–334.9). Debt was reported by 93% of households. NCD prevalence among adults was 42% (95%CI: 40–45). Hypertension was most prevalent (31.1%, 95%CI: 28.7–33.7), followed by diabetes (21.8%, 95%CI: 19.7–24.1) and cardiovascular diseases (14.4%, 95%CI: 12.6–16.4). Only 23% of interviewees were aware of subsidized MoH rates for NCD care. Twenty-nine percent stated they will not seek MoH care, mainly due to the unaffordable price. Our findings highlight increased vulnerability among MSF Irbid Syrian refugee NCD patients and their households, including: an older population; a high percentage of unemployment and reliance on cash assistance; higher proportion of households in debt and a high number of households having to resort to extreme coping mechanisms when facing a health emergency; and a higher proportion of people with multiple comorbid NCDs and physical disability. Their awareness of subsidised MoH care was low. MoH care is expected to be unaffordable for many. These people are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. It is vital that health actors providing care for Syrian refugees take action to reduce their risk, including implementing financial support mechanisms and free healthcare.

Applications of Medical Digital Technologies for Noncommunicable Diseases for Follow-Up during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are multifaceted, and the health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are far-reaching, especially for NCDs. Physical distancing and quarantine can lead to the poor management of NCDs because the visual tracking of them has been replaced with medical digital technology, that is, smartphone apps. This study aimed to explore medical digital technology applications for NCDs for follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The participants in this study were 400 adult patients with NCDs; they were selected by systematic random sampling. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The study was conducted in the outpatient department of Yanbu General Hospital and primary-care health centers in Yanbu Al-Baher, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The tools used in this study were a structured questionnaire to collect the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and their health history, an NCD questionnaire to assess follow-up of the patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a medical digital technologies questionnaire to explore the medical digital technology applications. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47.32 ± 14.362 years, and 62.8% of them were female and 372 were male. Of the patients, 69.2% and 57.5% had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and hypertension, respectively; 52.4% were followed up monthly, and 29.75% used medical digital technology applications such as Tabeby Online to monitor their health. Furthermore, 71.75% and 75.5% of the patients used the Sehhaty and Tawakkalna medical digital applications, respectively. Overall, 38.7% of the patients were satisfied with using medical digital technology applications used for follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: The study concluded that the services that use networks, smartphones, and medical digital technology applications on the Saudi Ministry of Health website and mobile applications to improve the quality of the health-care system, and that provide health services for noncommunicable or communicable diseases, are not effective. This is because the patients lack awareness of these services, with most of the chronic patients being elderly with lower levels of education and computer literacy.

Opportunities and considerations for the design of decentralized delivery of antiretroviral therapy for female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa

BackgroundIn South Africa, 60% of female sex workers (FSW) are living with HIV, many of whom experience structural and individual barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and adherence. Community-based decentralized treatment provision (DTP) may mitigate these barriers. To characterize optimal implementation strategies, we explored preferences for DTP among FSW living with HIV in Durban, South Africa.MethodsThirty-nine semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with FSW living with HIV (n = 24), and key informants (n = 15) including HIV program implementers, security personnel, and brothel managers. Participants were recruited using maximum variation and snowball sampling. Interviews were conducted in English or isiZulu between September–November 2017 and analyzed using grounded theory in Atlas.ti 8.ResultsDTP was described as an intervention that could address barriers to ART adherence and retention, minimizing transport costs, time and wage loss from clinic visits, and act as a safety net to address FSW mobility and clinic access challenges. Respondents highlighted contextual considerations for DTP and suggested that DTP should be venue-based, scheduled during less busy times and days, and integrate comprehensive health services including psychological, reproductive, and non-communicable disease services. ART packaging and storage were important for community-based delivery, and participants suggested DTP should be implemented by sex work sensitized staff with discrete uniform and vehicle branding.ConclusionsIncorporating FSW preferences may support implementation optimization and requires balancing of tensions between preferences and feasibility. These data suggest the potential utility of DTP for FSW as a strategy to address those most marginalized from current ART programs in South Africa.

A rapid assessment of the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) pandemic on health care & service delivery for noncommunicable diseases in India

Background and aimThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had disrupted the availability, access and utilisation of routine health care services. The present study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on India's Non communicable Disease (NCD) health care service delivery. MethodsThe study included existing hospitals in disease registry network of the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR), Bengaluru. The study participants comprised site investigators who were clinicians from many specialities, including general medicine, surgery, cancer, neurology, cardiology, and endocrinology. A standardised questionnaire was prepared to collect data on NCD health care services at the respective hospitals over three months from March to May 2020. ResultsOut of 153 hospitals approached for the study, 106 (70%) agreed to participate. Of these, 16 hospitals fully converted for COVID-19 care were excluded from the study. Thus, data from 90 hospitals were included in the final analysis. There had been a total disruption of NCD-related healthcare services during the three months in 44% of the hospitals. In April 2020, the outpatient attendance for over one-third of the hospitals was reduced by more than 75%. Admissions for planned surgeries for cancer treatment were reduced by more than 75% for about 40% of the hospitals. Preventive activities and population-based screening for diabetes, hypertension and cancer appear to have been adversely affected, with about one-third of the hospitals reporting total disruption in April and May 2020. As many as 60% of the institutions reported adequate availability of doctors. Over 91% of the institutions had preparedness/action plans to ensure the continuity of NCD services. ConclusionThe study shows that despite adequate human and material resources, NCD outpatient services, elective surgeries and population-based screening were severely affected. Most institutions were prepared to overcome the pandemic-imposed disruption and ensure a continuum of care for NCDs'.

Integrated approach for noncommunicable disease management in the Americas.

ABSTRACTAn overview of an integrated approach to improve noncommunicable disease (NCD) management is presented, along with tools on integrating NCD management as part of health system strengthening in the Americas. The study is based on an analysis of Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) data and publicly available information on NCD care and capacity, disruptions in NCD services, and guidance on NCD management. Gaps in NCD care are highlighted, in which an estimated 43.0% of men and 28.0% of women with hypertension in Latin America remain undiagnosed; and for those with diabetes, 32.8% in Central and South America are undiagnosed. Yet, only 17/35 countries (49%) in the Americas report having evidence-based national guidelines for NCD management through a primary care approach and only 7/35 countries (20%) report provision of drug therapy, including glycaemic control for eligible persons. To improve NCD management, an integrated approach is needed to coordinate and deliver care across the levels of the health system. This includes increasing primary care capacity and competencies to address multiple chronic conditions, and integration with other complementary programs to avoid missing opportunities for NCD diagnosis and management. An integrated approach to NCD management, and implementation of available tools, should be part of rebuilding health systems after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self-Assessment of Non-communicable Diseases related Competencies among Interns of a Medical Institute of Nepal

Introduction: One of the essential strategies to tackle rising burden of non- communicable diseases (NCD) is development of competent local human resource. Assessing the level of competencies in pre-service curriculum is the first step towards building an NCD-ready health workforce. This study aimed to assess perception of competence in delivering World Health Organization Package of Essential Non- communicable diseases (WHO-PEN) interventions among interns of Maharajgunj Medical Campus of Institute of Medicine (IOM). Methods: A survey was conducted at Maharajgunj Medical Campus of Institute of Medicine among interns using online questionnaire. The questionnaire contained seven sections on different competencies to prevent and manage NCDs. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Committee of IOM. Descriptive analysis was done to identify the level of competencies. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS version 20. Results: Majority of the interns expressed low to moderate confidence in managing patients with presenting complaints of major NCDs. Most interns could perform diagnostic procedures and screening related to NCDs and mental disorders under supervision only (56.9%-68.6%), and one third felt they were unable to perform spirometry and visual inspection of cervix with acetic acid. Most interns could provide counseling on major NCD risk factors, self-care and palliative care only under supervision. Majority could not identify key NCD service performance measures and their data sources. Conclusion: Skills of independently diagnosing and screening for NCDs, counselling on healthy lifestyle, alcohol and tobacco cessation and conduct motivational interviewing, self-care and palliative care were limited.

Readiness of health facilities to deliver non-communicable diseases services in Kenya: a national cross-sectional survey

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for an estimated 71% of all global deaths annually and nearly 80% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the readiness of existing healthcare systems at different levels of health care in delivering NCDs management and prevention services in Kenya.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 258 facilities was conducted between June 2019 and December 2020 using multistage sampling, examining facility readiness based on the availability of indicators such as equipment, diagnostic capacity, medicines and commodities, trained staff and guidelines for NCDs management. Readiness scores were calculated as the mean availability of tracer items expressed as a percentage and a cut-off threshold of ≥ 70% was used to classify facilities as “ready” to manage NCDs. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed to assess the readiness of facilities by type, level, and location settings. Logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with the readiness of facilities to provide disease-specific services.ResultsOf the surveyed facilities, 93.8% offered chronic respiratory disease (CRD) diagnosis and/or management services, 82.2% diabetes mellitus, 65.1% cardiovascular disease (CVD), and only 24.4% cervical cancer screening services. The mean readiness scores for diabetes mellitus (71%; 95% CI: 67–74) and CVD (69%; 95% CI: 66–72) were relatively high. Although CRD services were reportedly the most widely available, its mean readiness score was low (48%; 95% CI: 45–50). The majority of facilities offering cervical cancer services had all the necessary tracer items available to provide these services. Modeling results revealed that private facilities were more likely to be “ready” to offer NCDs services than public facilities. Similarly, hospitals were more likely “ready” to provide NCDs services than primary health facilities. These disparities in service readiness extended to the regional and urban/rural divide.ConclusionsImportant gaps in the current readiness of facilities to manage NCDs in Kenya at different levels of health care were revealed, showing variations by disease and healthcare facility type. A collective approach is therefore needed to bridge the gap between resource availability and population healthcare needs.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service delivery for noncommunicable diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the delivery of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) services globally as health systems are overwhelmed by the response to the pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean conducted an assessment to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on NCD-related services, programmes, funding and consideration of NCDs in COVID-19 response. Data were collected from countries of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) in mid-2020 through a web-based questionnaire on NCD services-related infrastructure, policies and plans, staffing, funding, NCD services disruptions and their causes, disruption mitigation strategies, data collection on comorbidity, surveillance, and suggestions for WHO technical guidance. The data were exported into Microsoft Excel and summarized. Countries were grouped according to socioeconomic level. Nineteen of the 22 countries in the EMR responded: 95% had NCD staff reallocated to support their COVID-19 response. Lower-income countries were less likely to include NCDs in their pandemic response plans and more likely to report disruption of services. The most commonly disrupted services were hypertension management (10 countries 53%), dental care (10 countries 53%), rehabilitation (9 countries 47%), palliative care (9 countries 47%) and asthma management (9 countries 47%). The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the continuity of NCD-related services in EMR countries. The ability to mitigate service disruptions varied noticeably between countries. The mitigation measures implemented included triaging of patients, novel NCD medicines supply chains and dispensing interventions, and the use of digital health and telemedicine. Guidance and support for systems resilience, preparedness and response to crises are recommended.

Comprehensive Efforts to Accelerate Non-Communicable Disease Services in the Era of COVID-19 in Indonesia’s Suburban Area

The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted non-communicable disease (NCD) services in primary health care, and NCD is one of the comorbidities that increase mortality in COVID-19 patients. Efforts to accelerate NCD services were carried out with the focus on two programs: the development of integrated polyclinic NCD services and the training of community health workers (CHW) at the Tanara Community Health Center (CHC) in Banten. The development of a continuous team-based service system from the Pos Pembinaan Terpadu (Posbindu)/integrated service post to NCD services at the CHC was carried out for six months to improve the quality of human resources and help provide recommendations in the implementation of NCD services. At the end of the program, there was a 26.1% increase in the number of hypertension patients receiving treatment compared with the previous year, and there was a significant increase in the level of knowledge of CHWs after training and long-term mentoring (p < 0.001). Efforts to accelerate NCD services require support from all parties, and to ensure the continuity of these efforts, periodic monitoring and evaluation are necessary.

Context and priorities for health systems strengthening for pain and disability in low- and middle-income countries: a secondary qualitative study and content analysis of health policies.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) health impairments contribute substantially to the pain and disability burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet health systems strengthening (HSS) responses are nascent in these settings. We aimed to explore the contemporary context, framed as challenges and opportunities, for improving population-level prevention and management of MSK health in LMICs using secondary qualitative data from a previous study exploring HSS priorities for MSK health globally and (2) to contextualize these findings through a primary analysis of health policies for integrated management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in select LMICs. Part 1: 12 transcripts of interviews with LMIC-based key informants (KIs) were inductively analysed. Part 2: systematic content analysis of health policies for integrated care of NCDs where KIs were resident (Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Philippines and South Africa). A thematic framework of LMIC-relevant challenges and opportunities was empirically derived and organized around five meta-themes: (1) MSK health is a low priority; (2) social determinants adversely affect MSK health; (3) healthcare system issues de-prioritize MSK health; (4) economic constraints restrict system capacity to direct and mobilize resources to MSK health; and (5) build research capacity. Twelve policy documents were included, describing explicit foci on cardiovascular disease (100%), diabetes (100%), respiratory conditions (100%) and cancer (89%); none explicitly focused on MSK health. Policy strategies were coded into three categories: (1) general principles for people-centred NCD care, (2) service delivery and (3) system strengthening. Four policies described strategies to address MSK health in some way, mostly related to injury care. Priorities and opportunities for HSS for MSK health identified by KIs aligned with broader strategies targeting NCDs identified in the policies. MSK health is not currently prioritized in NCD health policies among selected LMICs. However, opportunities to address the MSK-attributed disability burden exist through integrating MSK-specific HSS initiatives with initiatives targeting NCDs generally and injury and trauma care.

County Health Leadership Practices and Readiness for Noncommunicable Disease Services in Kenya.

Background:Premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is a contemporary development challenge. Low-income and lower-middle-income countries are disproportionately affected, with the poorest in society considered the most vulnerable. A paucity of literature exists on how leadership practices at the implementation level relate to ensuring readiness for NCD services.Objective:This study investigated any relationship between leadership practices and readiness for NCD services.Methods:This correlational study investigated any relationship between leadership practices at the county level and readiness for NCD services in Kenya using secondary data from a 2013 Service Availability and Readiness Assessment survey. Correlation and multiple linear regression tests were used to determine the strength and direction of any relationship between leadership practices (annual work planning, therapeutic committees, and supportive supervision), and NCD readiness (county readiness score).Findings:The findings indicated a statistically significant relationship between therapeutic committee (p = .002) and supportive supervision practices (p = .023) and NCD readiness. Leadership practices also had a statistically significant predictive relationship with NCD readiness (p = .009).Conclusion:Health leaders should ensure that leadership practices that have a predictive relationship with NCD readiness, such as therapeutic committee activities and supportive supervision visits, are implemented appropriately. Further, county health leaders should pay particular attention to the implementation of these leadership practices at nonpublic and Tiers 2, 3, and 4 health facilities that had lower NCD readiness scores.

Prioritizing noncommunicable diseases in the Americas region in the era of COVID-19.

ABSTRACTThis article describes the situation of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Americas, implementation of NCD interventions according to key progress indicators, the impact of COVID-19 on NCD services, and ways to reprioritize NCDs following COVID-19. Information was retrieved from institutional data and through a supplementary scoping review of published articles related to NCDs and COVID-19 in the Americas published April 2020–November 2021. While NCDs account for 80.7% of all deaths in the Americas, implementation of a key set of NCD interventions has been limited, with only three countries reporting implementation of 12 or more of the 19 NCD indicators. By mid-May 2022, the Americas had reported about 29.9% of all COVID-19 cases in the world (154 million of 515 million) and 43.5% all COVID-19 deaths (2.7 million of 6.2 million). This pandemic has hampered progress on NCDs and significantly disrupted services for people who require ongoing care. Adaptive strategies, such as telehealth and mobile pharmacies, have been used to mitigate service disruptions. However, NCD prevention and management must be an integral part of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. This will require scaled up efforts to establish/re-establish and enforce policies on NCD risk factors, especially for tobacco control and obesity prevention, as well as greater investment in primary care and expansion of telemedicine and digital health solutions for continuous care for people with NCDs. Lastly, limited data are available on the impact of COVID-19 on NCDs, and hence NCD data and surveillance need to be strengthened.

Challenges to the delivery of clinical diabetes services in Ghana created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ObjectiveThe barriers to delivering clinical non-communicable disease services in low- and middle-income countries have risen with the onset of COVID-19. Using Ghana as a case study, this article examines the changes COVID-19 has brought to diabetes service delivery and considers policy responses to deal with future such outbreaks.MethodsWe conducted 18 interviews between November 2020 and February 2021 with health professionals and administrators from primary, secondary and tertiary facilities within the Ghana Health Service. The analysis was performed using deductive and inductive methods.ResultsThere were six general themes in interviewees’ responses: (1) COVID-19 had exacerbated the problems of high medicine and service costs and medicine shortages, (2) the pandemic had exacerbated problems of poor patient record keeping, (3) COVID-19 had reduced the availability of suitably trained health providers, (4) staff had become demoralized by management’s unwillingness to make innovative changes to cope with the pandemic, (5) COVID-19 led to a reorganization of diabetes services, and (6) the country’s national health insurance scheme lacked flexibility in dealing with the pandemic.ConclusionsAccess to resources is limited in LMICs. However, our study highlights practical policy responses that can improve health providers’ response to COVID-19 and future pandemics.

Health and Wellness Centres as a strategic choice to manage noncommunicable diseases and universal health coverage

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally. On its road to ensuring universal health coverage (UHC) for its population, India initiated the Ayushman Bharat mission in 2018. Under this flagship initiative, the primary health care component is being implemented by establishing Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) across the country. HWCs are being established by converting and upgrading the primary health centers and subhealth centers. The unmet need for NCDs at the primary care level is high. Under the HWCs, NCD services are being expanded at the community and facility levels. States have brought local innovations in the NCD management. NCD ticker bags, an innovation to ensure treatment adherence, follow-up, and reduce drop-outs, are being done under the HWCs. Gaps in NCD management include a lack of awareness about NCDs' risk factors and management in rural areas and an erratic supply of NCD drugs and diagnostics. Challenges in the NCD management in the primary care settings include capacity building of the health manpower in NCD management, the flow of information for ensuring a continuum of care, and low community participation in the screening and management of NCDs. The challenges that remain in operationalizing the envisaged package in the HWCs must be acknowledged and worked upon. This will enable us to continue on the path toward UHC, stick to the action plan on NCDs, and assist us in achieving the NCD-related targets.