The COVID-19 pandemic forced countries and health facilities to close and move to telehealth visits when possible. Not surprisingly, we have seen delays in care in many countries. Sadly, these delays have been especially detrimental on people living with chronic conditions, noncommunicable diseases, and injuries. Many providers and facilities have adapted practices and process in real-time throughout the pandemic to meet, as best as possible, the needs of their patients. At the same time, a report from the United States has shown that almost two-thirds of the COVID-19 hospitalizations were attributable to cardiometabolic conditions, such as obesity; hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure. The disruption of services due to the COVID-19 outbreak have placed people living with NCDs at a higher risk of becoming severely ill or dying from COVID-19.
In this webinar, we will hear from providers and organization in cancer, diabetes, heart disease and surgical conditions. The presenters will discuss challenges faced by their organizations in providing care and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons learned will highlight opportunities for long-term changes in daily operations and preparedness for future public health emergencies
Webinar Lead:
- Dr. Arti Patel Varanasi, PhD, MPH, Chair, CORE Group NCDs Interest Group, and President & CEO, Advancing Synergy
Webinar Moderator:
- Bistra Zheleva, Vice President of Global Strategy and Advocacy Children’s Heartlink
Webinar Presenters:
- Catherine Karekezi, PhD, Medical Director of the Kenya Diabetes Management and Information Centre (DMIC) and a leading technical voice for NCD Alliance Kenya
- Tim Kubal, MD Oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center and Co-Chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Best Practices Committee, USA
- Susana Abrego, MD, pediatric anesthesiologist, Benjamin Bloom Hospital, El Salvador
- Flavia Kamalembo Batureine, RN, Mulago Hospital, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda