Iran’s Status of NCDs Prevention and Management Services during COVID-19 Pandemic at PHC Level

Evidence shows that COVID-19 pandemic affects non-communicable diseases (NCDs), significantly. This study aimed to analyze the status of prevention and management services of NCDs at the level of primary health care (PHC) system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this situation analysis study, first the circulars communicated at the level of PHC system from beginning of the pandemic to the end of September 2020 were manually and electronically retrieved, and those which included a decision or action in terms of governance and coordination mechanisms to provide NCDs in crisis and reopening stages, were analyzed. Then, the plans of major NCDs services in low-risk, intermediate, and high-risk conditions were developed and finalized based on the circulars. Finally, situation analysis was performed using SWOT analysis, and proposed strategies were extracted.

25 out of 199 circulars were analyzed. In the crisis phase, most screening, risk assessment and diagnostic services were suspended, and the follow-ups and care of patients with NCDs were mainly done by telephone. In the reopening phase, general strategies were adopted to increase capacity and to compensate delayed care, and the plan of major NCDs services at the PHC system was developed in the three-pandemic settings. Finally, main strategies were proposed with integration approach and focusing on essential services, considering vulnerable groups and the use of E-health technologies.

The results indicated an interruption in NCDs services during the crisis phase, while adopting strategies to respond to the pandemic. Revision of the COVID-19 guides with a particular focus on NCDs prevention and management services is recommended in national response plan.