CHORUS researchers enjoyed excellent representation at the 13th European Congress on Global Health (ECTMIH 2023), held in Utrecht, Netherlands from 20-23 November 2023. The theme for the conference was 'Shaping the Future of Equitable and Sustainable Planetary Health'.
Here is a summary of the CHORUS panel, presentations and posters during which we shared findings from our extensive needs assessment works in Bangladesh and Nepal. We also shared insights and experiences strengthening the capacity of health system actors within research consortiums.
Oral Presentations
Tuesday 21st November, 15.30, Social Impact Factory (Track 1, Health Systems)
'Strengthening the capacity of health system actors within research programme consortium: Experience from CHORUS'
An effective health system requires the ability to produce robust, and locally appropriate research, however capacity gaps present real obstacles to the equitable allocation of research opportunities, especially in LMICs. Whilst research programmes and partnerships aim to strengthen health systems research, often the capacity strengthening elements of the programmes focus on individual-level capacities, looking less at the collective and organisational and network levels. Baby Naznin presents CHORUS experiences in working towards strengthening the capacity of health system actors, to utilise data and research evidence for policy making and improving equity in service delivery.
Presenter: Baby Naznin, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh
Contributors:
Prof. Zahidul Quayyum, BRAC JPGSPH, Bangladesh
Thursday 23rd November, 08.30, Social Impact Factory (Track 1, Health Systems)
'Quality of healthcare services delivered by pharmacies: plurality of providers, an opportunity to collaborate in Pokhara Metropolitan City of Nepal'
CHORUS Nepal conducted a needs assessment in all pharmacies situated in Pokhara with the aim of determining the availability of services and the preparedness to deliver services related to Diabetes and Hypertension. The quantitative assessment utilized the SARA framework, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), to evaluate service readiness. The team presented key findings, revealing an overall low readiness level among the pharmacies, particularly in terms of the availability of trained human resources and guidelines to facilitate practice domains. The research underscores the necessity for evidence-based interventions, such as the WHO Package of Essential Non-communicable Disease (PEN), in resource-limited settings like Nepal.
Presenter: Sulata Karki, on behalf of Grishu Shrestha, HERD International, Nepal
Contributors: Deepak Joshi, Parash Mani Sapkota, Dr. Sampurna Kakchapati, Dr. Sushil Baral, HERD International, Nepal
Thursday 23rd November, 13.30, Social Impact Factory
'Universal non-communicable disease care coverage, a challenge in urban health system of Pokhara City, Nepal'
CHORUS Nepal conducted extensive needs assessments to assess how prepared health facilities are to address hypertension and diabetes, and understand the health seeking behaviours of the urban poor and marginalised in Pokhara, Nepal. This included a quantitative assessment of health facilities for NCD service delivery of 659 facilities, covering hospitals, primary care and pharmacies, both public and private. The team share key findings in this presentation; significant challenges are found at community, institutional and system levels in providing universal and equitable NCD care for the urban poor populations, and in order to meet these challenges, there needs to be a multi-sectoral, coordinated approach.
Presenter: Prof. Helen Elsey, University of York, on behalf of Deepak Joshi, HERD International, Nepal
Contributors: Raju Neupane, Grishu Shrestha, Parash Sapkota, Abriti Arjyal, Dr. Sushil Baral, HERD International, Nepal
'Mental Health, an area deprived and neglected in health system of Nepal'
CHORUS Nepal presented a review of national policies to evaluate the status of mental health as a national priority. Although Nepal possesses a comprehensive health policy encompassing sections related to mental health conditions, there is an absence of a distinct mental health policy or mental health act. The team presented an analysis of the mental health burden in Nepal based on data from the Global Burden of Disease report 2019, National Mental Health Survey 2020, and a further analysis of the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022 to ascertain mental health issues and associated factors among the youth population in Nepal. The team proposed a study plan aimed at addressing mental health concerns in selected urban areas of Nepal, with the initial focus on evaluating the mental health landscape and devising an appropriate intervention within school settings.
Presenter: Shreeman Sharma, HERD International, on behalf of Deepak Joshi, HERD International, Nepal
Contributors: Parash Mani Sapkota, Grishu Shrestha, Dr. Sampurna Kakchapati, Helen Elsey, Dr. Sushil Baral, HERD International, Nepal
'Where does Bangladesh’s urban poor go for NCD care, and do they receive adequate advice for NCD prevention and control?'
There is evidence from nationwide surveys tracking a marked increase in NCD risk factors among Bangladeshi urban dwellers, CHORUS Bangladesh aimed to understand the health seeking behaviours of the poorest urban populations, regarding NCD control, prevention and care, and the services available to them. Through an extensive needs assessment, significant barriers were identified by respondents, and the gendered and intersectional nature of these barriers.
Presenter: Deepa Barua, ARK Foundation, Bangladesh
Posters
'Changes in NCD management within urban primary health care system: Evidence from 2014 and 2017 national surveys '
Deepa Barua, ARK Foundation, Bangladesh
'An Analysis of Urban Health Policies in Bangladesh and Identifying Gaps between Policies and Practices'
Baby Naznin, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh
See the Poster Here
'An overview of the Existing Partnership and Purchasing Arrangements for Delivering Primary health Care Services in the Urban Settings of Bangladesh: A scoping Review'
Zahidul Quayyum, Syeda Tahmina Ahmed, Baby Naznin, Jannatun Tajree, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh
See the Poster Here
'The need for social justice professionals in addressing vital concerns in primary health centres that inhibit utilization by urban slum dwellers'
Dr. Prince Agwu, Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria
