Technology and mHealth in Saudi Arabia The utilization of technology and mobile health (mHealth) has become crucial in Saudi Arabia's response to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs and their associated risk factors have emerged as significant public health concerns in the country, accounting for approximately 78% of all deaths, with...

Telemedicine and mhealth in Oman In Oman, the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is alarmingly high, contributing to 72% of all deaths in the country. Specifically, nearly one-third of the population suffers from high blood pressure. To address the health needs of people living with NCDs, the healthcare system in Oman has established...

Remote mental health services in Qatar The COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary measures of staying at home and maintaining physical distancing instilled fear and anxiety among the public in Qatar, leading to adverse effects on mental health and overall well-being. Furthermore, individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions experienced...

Digital health services in Qatar Digital health services in Qatar were rapidly implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to ensure the provision of essential care for people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and other health needs, all within the safety of their homes. Previously, primary health care centers and...

Introduction Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has posed a significant burden on Sudan's healthcare system. In response, cardiologists from the Sudan Heart Society took the initiative to establish a programme for RHD control. They developed the SUR I CAAN framework, which emphasized Surveillance, Integration, Collaboration, Awareness, Advocacy and...

Introduction The WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions (WHO PEN) serves as a comprehensive set of fundamental standards and services designed for addressing noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in low resource settings. Moreover, it acts as a crucial initial step towards integrating NCDs into primary healthcare systems....

Introduction Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant burden on the health and well-being of the population in the Islamic Republic of Iran. To address this challenge, the Iranian Noncommunicable Diseases Committee was established by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 2014. This initiative, characterized by high-level...

Introduction In the midst of protracted emergencies, the focus of humanitarian health response has traditionally been on acute conditions, often overlooking the significant impact of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries and disaster-prone areas. Syria, for instance, witnessed a high mortality rate from NCDs, with 45% of...

18 December 2022 | From 27 to 29 November 2022, more than 100 global and regional stakeholders and experts from across WHO (global, regional and country offices) and ministries of health convened virtually to address implementation and strengthening of noncommunicable disease (NCD) monitoring systems at primary health care level to bridge current...

4 September 2022 | The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean presents a special edition of the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (EMHJ) on palliative care. Featuring six original research articles, three reports, one review, one commentary and two editorials on different aspects of palliative care across the Region, the edition aims...