Director of AIHD, and Executive Director of AUN-HPN joined the webinar series held by Pan American Health Organization: Transforming Health Systems Toward Optimal NCD management
Director of AIHD, and Executive Director of AUN-HPN joined the webinar series held by Pan American Health Organization: Transforming Health Systems Toward Optimal NCD management
7 June 2021
Main discussions: this session focused on the health system changes needed to improve NCD management. It will highlight how Universal Health Access and Coverage can improve outcomes for people with NCDs, and the health system strengthening, and primary care interventions needed to strengthen NCD management. In the webinar, Dr Aselm Hennis - Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at Pan American Health Organization presented about COVID19 burden in The Americas regarding NCDs. At the same time, COVID19 can be considered as an opportunity to strengthen the health system. He mentioned priority program as a systematic approach to improve NCDs with resilient and comprehensive health information systems. Dr. Guillermo Sequera - Paraguay Director General of Health Surveillance shared Paraguay's experience in dealing with NCDs and mental health issues during the pandemic by their proactive communication with the community and the effectiveness of telemedicine provided in different care level services. "Detox for mental health in the time of COVID19" was a highlighting point mentioned. Dr Christopher Tufton - Jamaica's Minister of Health and Wellness shared Jamaica's experience during the pandemic in terms of leadership and governance, Mental health and COVID19 service delivery, major health information platforms, medicine, technology, and finally, resources. Dr. Ferninando Regalia - Division Chief, Social Protection and Health Inter-American Development Bank discussed how COVID19 alarmed society about commonly known challenges and exposing unfamiliar vulnerabilities such as inequality in healthcare access, stressed public administration, and lack of data. Action on going beyond the old normal is needed. In conclusion, many agreed on the necessity of capacity expanding for better health access, cost effectiveness, and collaboration for future approaches toward these issues in the pandemic time.
