Global Coronavirus Pandemic Disrupts Treatment of High Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Cancer
Fresh statistics from the World Health Organization indicate that in many countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, medical services for patients with high blood pressure, cardiovascular emergencies, diabetes and cancer have experienced serious or widespread disruptions.
According to these statistics, in more than half of countries, medical services for individuals with high blood pressure have been partially or completely halted.
Meanwhile, treatment for half of those suffering from diabetes and more than 40 percent of cancer patients has been interrupted or disrupted.
At the same time, in many countries, screening of citizens to detect cancers, such as breast cancer or cervical cancer, has been halted.
Care for more than 30 percent of cardiovascular emergencies has also been practically halted or faced problems.
Rehabilitation services, key processes for treated individuals, have faced problems, disruptions or have been halted in more than two-thirds of countries.
WHO statistics also show that in virtually all countries, some or all medical staff members who were working in non-contagious departments have been reassigned to assist COVID-19 patients.
The most important and serious reasons or challenges mentioned include cancellation of scheduled treatments, disruption of public transportation, and lack of personnel due to their transfer to COVID-19 patient departments.
In Iran, too, concerns have been expressed in recent months regarding the treatment process of various diseases.
In Ordibehesht, one member of the academic staff at Tehran University of Medical Sciences said “on one hand, [cancer] patients are concerned about postponing surgery, and on the other hand, physicians are concerned about disease recurrence and disease prognosis.”
On the other hand, some affected medical services due to the spread of coronavirus concern complications that are very common in Iran.
For example, disruption in providing medical services to patients with high blood pressure, at a time when this condition, according to Ministry of Health statistics, accounts for half of deaths in the country.
Regarding diabetes, official statistics also indicate that 11 percent of the population over 25 years old in Iran suffer from this disease.
Source: Radio Farda
