AUTHOR=Sureshkumar Sugitha , Mustapha Feisul , Yusoff Haironi , Mwangi Kibachio Joseph , Marcus Kailing , Kohlbrenner Bogomil , Issom David , Benissa Mohamed-Rida , Aebischer-Perone Sigiriya , Braha Nirit , Candela Egidio , Chhabra Kumar Gaurav , Desikachari B. R. , Dondi Arianna , Etchebehere Marina , Gathecha Gladwell , Kengne Andre Pascal , Missoni Eduardo , Palafox Benjamin , Pati Sanghamitra , Madhu Priyanka Paul , Peer Nasheeta , Quint Jennifer , Tabrizi Reza , Oris Michel , Beran David , Balabanova Dina , Etter Jean-Francois
TITLE=An Online Survey of the Perceptions of Clinical and Non-Clinical Professionals on Healthcare for Non-Communicable Diseases and COVID-19 Measures During the Pandemic in Malaysia
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
VOLUME=68
YEAR=2023
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605861
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2023.1605861
ISSN=1661-8564
ABSTRACT=Objectives: This study assesses the opinions of health professionals in Malaysia on the disruption of non-communicable disease (NCD) services during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to January 2022.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with 191 non-clinical public health workers and clinical health service workers in Malaysia from November 2021 to January 2022. Participants were recruited by the Malaysian Ministry of Health using major networks including key experts and practitioners. Secondary respondents were subsequently enrolled through snowballing.
Results: The most notable issues raised by the survey participants relate to NCD service disruption, the redirection of NCD care resources, and NCD care being overburdened post-pandemic. Respondents also reported accounts of resilience and prompt reaction from the healthcare system, as well as calls for innovation.
Conclusion: Most respondents perceived that the challenges arising from COVID-19 were mostly managed well by the healthcare system, which was able to provide the necessary services to NCD patients during this health emergency. However, the study identifies gaps in the health system response and preparedness capacity, and highlights solutions for strengthening NCD services.