RESUMEN
The region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is diverse and retains a superior growth potential. It benefits from a privileged geographical location with big markets, a young and growing educated population, and competitive advantages in several industries. Regardless of their differences, countries face shared concerns, most notably in health. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MENA countries enact reforms to create a more robust and inclusive digital health systems to increase growth, development, and integrity. Throughout the coordinated containment and mitigation efforts, most of the countries have integrated digital technologies into the health systems. These procedures include digital government initiatives, the introduction of digital health training courses, live video surgeries and virtual patient monitoring, rural and remote telemedicine programs, and the development of a national electronic health records (EHR) system. Each country took necessary actions to address equity, literacy, and development of resilient health systems. The nine featured countries in this report illustrate the diversity among the MENA region and account for major opportunities and achievements as well as promises and challenges that digital health presents for its populations. © 2022 IMIA and Georg Thieme Verlag KG.
RESUMEN
Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic affected more than thirty million people world-wide, still the true link between COVID-19 and the incidence of stroke remains to be eluci-dated. Method(s): Herein, we briefly discuss virology of COVID-19 and approaches for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients, as well as the mechanisms that link stroke and COVID-19. Result(s): Many pathophysiologic and immunologic mechanisms have been implicated in stroke occurring among patients with COVID-19. COVID-19 pandemic has, in different ways, negative im-pacts on the care of stroke patients world-wide, and still, neurologists have to face many challenges to improve the care of stroke patients during such crisis. Conclusion(s): Although the control of the COVID-19 is of crucial importance, at the same time, the management of stroke must not be neglected. Therefore, preserving care for critical conditions such as stroke, and providing strategies to ensure this continues, have a priority even during the cri-sis. Till vaccine is available for COVID-19, strategies for rapid diagnosis and those for treating patients with that disease are evolving. Further studies are warranted.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.