Blog » Summary - Recent NCDI Event - Integrated Management of Severe and Complex Chronic Diseases at Primary-Level Hospitals: Bridging the Gap in UHC for the Poorest Billion
Summary - Recent NCDI Event - Integrated Management of Severe and Complex Chronic Diseases at Primary-Level Hospitals: Bridging the Gap in UHC for the Poorest Billion
The NCDI Poverty Network aims to prevent and reduce the death and suffering of those doubly afflicted by extreme poverty and these conditions in countries with a high prevalence of extreme poverty. As an initiative of the NCDI Poverty Network, the PEN-Plus Partnership develops and supports PEN-Plus as an integrated care delivery strategy focused on alleviating the burden of severe and complex chronic diseases among the poorest children and young adults. PEN-Plus was recently adopted as a regional strategy by the WHO Regional Committee for Africa. A virtual webinar took place on November 16, 2022 to learn about the NCID Poverty Network and the PEN-Plus model and to share experience from Nepal and Malawi.
Event Summary by Miriam Schneidman:
Integrated Management of Severe and Complex Chronic Diseases at Primary-Level Hospitals:
Bridging the Gap in UHC for the Poorest Billion
• Non-communicable diseases, which account for 74% of death globally, have been heavily neglected with only 14 countries on track to meet SDG 3.4 (By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being). The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in massive disruptions in NCD services and a disproportionate impact on patients with chronic diseases. The pandemic presents a window of opportunity to accelerate progress on NCDs and adopt service delivery innovations.
• The “Reimagining PHC After COVID-19” strategy underscores the importance of person-centered integrated models of care. The uptake of these models, which involve holistic, coordinated care, along the life cycle, provides an opportunity to accelerate attention on NCDs.
• The Lancet NCDI Commission/Network focuses on severe and complex chronic diseases which disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, and sickle cell disease. The Network is supporting countries in Africa, South Asia, and the Caribbean to implement the PEN-Plus model, an integrated care delivery strategy for addressing severe and complex chronic diseases among the poorest children and young adults. Key strategies include: (i) decongesting referral hospitals and shifting care to lower-level hospitals, reducing geographic barriers; (ii) establishing pilot sites which serve as training centers; and (iii) using the science of implementation approach to evaluate the implementation of the integrated models of care.
• Several countries in the NCDI Poverty Network are making good progress in advancing the implementation of the PEN-Plus model. The Nepal case study involved: (i) conducting a detailed priority setting exercise; (ii) leveraging on the implementation of the PEN model which is now scaled to all districts; and (iii) advocating for inclusion of essential medications into the national formulary and National Health Insurance benefit package. The Malawi case study shows how the PEN-Plus model can be implemented in resource-constrained settings with strong leadership from the Ministry of Health; donor support and partner alignment; and a clear operational plan.
• Main Take Away Messages on the importance of: (i) adopting person-centered integrated models of care for management of chronic conditions; (ii) using an equity lens, focusing on neglected diseases and on the poorest groups; and (iii) brokering partnerships to leverage technical and financial support from multiple stakeholders.
Blog » Summary - Recent NCDI Event - Integrated Management of Severe and Complex Chronic Diseases at Primary-Level Hospitals: Bridging the Gap in UHC for the Poorest Billion
Summary - Recent NCDI Event - Integrated Management of Severe and Complex Chronic Diseases at Primary-Level Hospitals: Bridging the Gap in UHC for the Poorest Billion
The NCDI Poverty Network aims to prevent and reduce the death and suffering of those doubly afflicted by extreme poverty and these conditions in countries with a high prevalence of extreme poverty. As an initiative of the NCDI Poverty Network, the PEN-Plus Partnership develops and supports PEN-Plus as an integrated care delivery strategy focused on alleviating the burden of severe and complex chronic diseases among the poorest children and young adults. PEN-Plus was recently adopted as a regional strategy by the WHO Regional Committee for Africa. A virtual webinar took place on November 16, 2022 to learn about the NCID Poverty Network and the PEN-Plus model and to share experience from Nepal and Malawi.
Event Summary by Miriam Schneidman:
Integrated Management of Severe and Complex Chronic Diseases at Primary-Level Hospitals:
Bridging the Gap in UHC for the Poorest Billion
• Non-communicable diseases, which account for 74% of death globally, have been heavily neglected with only 14 countries on track to meet SDG 3.4 (By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being). The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in massive disruptions in NCD services and a disproportionate impact on patients with chronic diseases. The pandemic presents a window of opportunity to accelerate progress on NCDs and adopt service delivery innovations.
• The “Reimagining PHC After COVID-19” strategy underscores the importance of person-centered integrated models of care. The uptake of these models, which involve holistic, coordinated care, along the life cycle, provides an opportunity to accelerate attention on NCDs.
• The Lancet NCDI Commission/Network focuses on severe and complex chronic diseases which disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, and sickle cell disease. The Network is supporting countries in Africa, South Asia, and the Caribbean to implement the PEN-Plus model, an integrated care delivery strategy for addressing severe and complex chronic diseases among the poorest children and young adults. Key strategies include: (i) decongesting referral hospitals and shifting care to lower-level hospitals, reducing geographic barriers; (ii) establishing pilot sites which serve as training centers; and (iii) using the science of implementation approach to evaluate the implementation of the integrated models of care.
• Several countries in the NCDI Poverty Network are making good progress in advancing the implementation of the PEN-Plus model. The Nepal case study involved: (i) conducting a detailed priority setting exercise; (ii) leveraging on the implementation of the PEN model which is now scaled to all districts; and (iii) advocating for inclusion of essential medications into the national formulary and National Health Insurance benefit package. The Malawi case study shows how the PEN-Plus model can be implemented in resource-constrained settings with strong leadership from the Ministry of Health; donor support and partner alignment; and a clear operational plan.
• Main Take Away Messages on the importance of: (i) adopting person-centered integrated models of care for management of chronic conditions; (ii) using an equity lens, focusing on neglected diseases and on the poorest groups; and (iii) brokering partnerships to leverage technical and financial support from multiple stakeholders.