Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on chronic diseases care follow-up and current perspectives in low resource settings: a narrative review
Ginenus Fekadu, Firomsa Bekele, Tadesse Tolossa, Getahun Fetensa, Ebisa Turi, Motuma Getachew, Eba Abdisa, Lemessa Assefa, Melkamu Afeta, Waktole Demisew, Dinka Dugassa, Dereje Chala Diriba, Busha Gamachu Labata, Ginenus Fekadu, Firomsa Bekele, Tadesse Tolossa, Getahun Fetensa, Ebisa Turi, Motuma Getachew, Eba Abdisa, Lemessa Assefa, Melkamu Afeta, Waktole Demisew, Dinka Dugassa, Dereje Chala Diriba, Busha Gamachu Labata
Abstract
Coronavirus is a respiratory disease that spreads globally. The severity and mortality risk of the disease is significant in the elderly, peoples having co-morbidities, and immunosuppressive patients. The outbreak of the pandemic created significant barriers to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of chronic diseases. Delivering regular and routine comprehensive care for chronic patients was disrupted due to closures of healthcare facilities, lack of public transportation or reductions in services. The purpose of this narrative review was to update how patients with chronic care were affected during the pandemic, healthcare utilization services and available opportunities for better chronic disease management during the pandemic in resources limited settings. Moreover, this review may call to the attention of concerned bodies to make decisions and take measures in the spirit of improving the burden of chronic diseases by forwarding necessary recommendations for possible change and to scale up current intervention programs.
Keywords: COVID-19; chronic diseases; follow-up care; impact; low resource settings.
Conflict of interest statement
None.
IJPPP Copyright © 2021.
Source: PubMed