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Access to Medicines for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDS) during COVID-19 in Kenya: A Descriptive Commentary.
Kiragu, Zana Wangari; Gathecha, Gladwell; Mwangi, Martin K; Ndegwa, Zachary; Pastakia, Sonak; Nyagah, Daniel; Cizungu, Richard N; Takah Mutwiri, Mariana; Ndolo, Meshack; Wirtz, Veronika J.
  • Kiragu ZW; Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
  • Gathecha G; Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Mwangi MK; Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Ndegwa Z; Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Pastakia S; Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, Eldoret, Kenya.
  • Nyagah D; Center for Health Equity and Innovation, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
  • Cizungu RN; Embu County Health Department, County Government, Embu, Kenya.
  • Takah Mutwiri M; Secretariat, Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Ndolo M; Department of Marketing and Strategy, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies, Kenya.
  • Wirtz VJ; Health Department, Council of Governors, Kenya.
Health Syst Reform ; 7(1): e1984865, 2021 01 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1506226
ABSTRACT
Evidence shows that those with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are at higher risk for serious illness and mortality from COVID-19. In Kenya, about 50% of the COVID-19 patients who have died had an NCD. We sought to describe the challenges faced in accessing NCD medicines in Kenya during the pandemic, through a descriptive narrative informed by key stakeholders engaged in NCD service delivery and decision-making. Access to NCD medicines was affected at three levels, service delivery, health facility information systems and the medicines supply chain to health facilities. In response to these gaps, the Ministry of Health released clear directives and interim guidelines for continuity of NCD service delivery. However, implementation of guidelines was not apparent from conversations with county officials or from assessment of county services by the Ministry. Rather, heterogeneity was observed in counties' responsiveness to patient needs, where 5 out of 13 counties used mHealth technologies, while 5 had no established system to reach patients. COVID-19 amplified gaps that already existed in the system-particularly around lack of robust supply chains and sub-optimal health information systems. This descriptive paper will be useful to policy makers to provide a summary of the key challenges faced in accessing NCD medicines, identify gaps in medicines delivery, and make case for establishment of a more equitable health system to meet the needs of lower-income NCD patients.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Noncommunicable Diseases / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Health Syst Reform Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 23288604.2021.1984865

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Noncommunicable Diseases / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Health Syst Reform Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 23288604.2021.1984865