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We present some recent activity in Ontario on the mathematical modeling of COVID-19 and the development of optimal strategies for vaccine distribution that take into account equity issues.
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This white paper will summarize the key topics, outcomes, and recommendations from the Canada-India Healthcare Summit 2021 COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Initiatives sessions held on May 20-21, 2021. In particular, the authors have focused their attention on topics on the effect of COVID-19 on noncommunicable diseases, depression, research on substance abuse, and post COVID-19 pain management. The authors have developed a better understanding of these conditions' interplay with COVID-19 infection. The paper also deals with important topics around the effects of NCD on COVID-19 and vice versa, as well as key considerations around research and development, innovation, policy, and finally, summarizes the ways forward in which Canada and India could collaborate strategically. We also include key points raised during the summit.
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This white paper summarizes the key outcomes, topics, and recommendations from the Canada-India Healthcare Summit 2021 Conference, Biotechnology Session, held on May 20-21, 2021. In particular, the authors have focused their attention on topics ranging from research and development into the etiology and treatment of COVID-19 to novel approaches, such as ultraviolet-C disinfection and cell and gene therapy. The paper also deals with important topics around the effects of food distribution and nutrition on COVID-19 and vice versa, as well as key considerations around research and development, innovation, policy, grants, and incentives, and finally, summarizes the ways in which Canada and India, being close allies, have already begun to partner to fight the pandemic (as well as future strategies to continue this excellent progress). We also include key points raised during the summit and summarize them as part of this white paper.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) has a great impact on our daily living and makes our lives more efficient and productive. Especially during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, AI has played a key role in response to the global health crisis. There has been a boom in AI innovation and its use since the pandemic. However, despite its widespread adoption and great potential, most people have little knowledge of AI concepts and realization of its potential. The objective of this white paper is to communicate the importance of AI and its benefits to society. The report covers AI applications in six different topics from medicine (AI deployment in clinical settings, imaging and diagnostics, and acceleration of drug discovery) to more social aspects (support older adults in long-term care homes, and AI in supporting small and medium enterprises. The report ends with nine steps to consider for moving forward with AI implementation during and post pandemic period. These include legal and ethical data collection and storage, greater data access, multidisciplinary collaboration, and policy reform.
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The Canada India Health-care Summit 2021, ("CIHS 2021"), is the 3rd Summit, focusing on healthcare, organized by Canada India Foundation, as part of an ongoing series of thematic Canada India Forums, to highlight opportunities for collaboration between Canada and India in key strategic sectors and make public policy recommendations to the respective governments. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network and the Consulate General of India in Toronto were co-organizers of the Summit. CIHS 2021 was focused on three themes: (1) artificial intelligence and its contribution to overcome COVID-19, (2) biotechnology and its contribution to overcome COVID-19, and (3) pandemic responses and initiatives. The Summit was held on May 20, 2021-May 21, 2021, and was preceded by three webinars. More than 60 healthcare experts and government leaders spoke at the Summit, to nearly 500 virtual attendees. A full report of the Summit with specific policy recommendations was made to the Canadian and Indian governments.
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Objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading noncommunicable cause of mortality and morbidity globally. In-person education and awareness programs conducted as part of the CVD prevention efforts have either come to a standstill or have been replaced by web-based programs in the COVID-19 era. This study describes the design and execution of web-based programs to improve awareness and educate cardiac patients during the pandemic. Methods: All web-based education/awareness sessions conducted since the start of the government-enforced lockdown in India till date (23 March-10 September 2020) were included. A multidisciplinary team consisting of Physician, Physiotherapist and Dietician worked completely online to maintain continuity of service to previously enrolled patients and to develop comprehensive web-based programs for newly enrolling patients. Patient education sessions were incorporated into the homebased CVD prevention/rehabilitation programs, which also consisted of supervised exercise sessions. Web-based awareness programs about CVD prevention strategies during the pandemic were provided to corporate employees, paying special attention to the psychosocial challenges of working from home, and to the general public. Google Meet or Zoom was used for the audiovisual presentation followed by discussion. Results: Our team provided 28 web-based education sessions and 6 awareness webinars for a total of 185 individuals during this period. The topics covered are provided in the Table. The enrolees and their family members actively participated in the sessions and interacted during the discussion. The feedback was that the communication was clear and that the online sessions were effective. The only barrier was the occasional technical snag or connectivity issue, which hindered the continuity of the session briefly. Conclusion: There has been a huge sea change in the way healthcare has been delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic and CVD prevention services are no exception. Web-based programs with online sessions replacing inperson sessions are proving to be effective in patient education and awareness creation and might be the way forward even after the pandemic in resourcelimited settings like India.
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Objectives: Home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) and prevention programs (HBPP) which occupied a small proportion of the overall Preventive Cardiology work in the past have become mainstream during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyse the design and delivery of HBCR/HBPP pre and during the pandemic to address evolving patient needs. Methods: All patients who had undergone HBCR/HBPP at our Preventive Cardiology centre in Chennai, India till 22 March 2020 (pre-pandemic enrolees) and from 23 March-10 September 2020 (during-pandemic enrolees) were included. Hybrid programs had some in-person and some online/phone sessions;completely home-based programs had only online/phone sessions. Intake evaluation consisted of physician consultation, review of medical records, health-related lifestyle questionnaire, quality of life questionnaire, 24-hour diet recall and body mass index and functional capacity (FC) assessment. The sixminute walk test (6MWT) or the 2-minute step test (2MST) was used for FC assessment. A multidisciplinary team consisting of Physician, Physiotherapist and Dietician provided 1-2 sessions per week for 3-6 months. HBCR was offered to low/medium risk patients. Results: Of the 29 subjects (57±13 years, 69% male), 16 (55%) were prepandemic enrolees and 13 (45%) during-pandemic enrolees. Completely homebased programs were provided to 4 (25%) of the pre-pandemic enrolees and to 13 (100%) of the during-pandemic enrolees (p=0.0002). Almost all pre-pandemic enrolees resided outside Chennai and travelled by air/train/road for in-person sessions in the hybrid program;an elderly woman residing in Chennai preferred the hybrid program, as she needed a caregiver to accompany her. Majority of pre-pandemic home-based sessions were phone calls whereas majority of during-pandemic sessions were online video sessions with supervised exercise and/or audiovisual presentation. FC was assessed using 6MWT in 17 (59%) and 2MST in 9 (31%) subjects;FC was not assessed in 3 pre-pandemic enrolees. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary HBCR/HBPP is an effective and safer alternative to traditional programs. There is potential to expand these services post-pandemic to all patients irrespective of place of residence and risk profile.