Prevention and treatment services for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have been severely disrupted since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to a WHO survey released today. The survey, which was completed by 155 countries during a 3-week period in May, confirmed that the impact is global, but that low-income countries are most affected. "The results of this survey confirm what we have been hearing from countries for a number of weeks now," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. "Many people who need treatment for diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes have not been receiving the health services and medicines they need since the COVID-19 pandemic began. It's vital that countries find innovative ways to ensure that essential services for NCDs continue, even as they fight COVID-19." "It will be some time before we know the full extent of the impact of disruptions to health care during COVID-19 on people with noncommunicable diseases," said Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases at WHO.
