CONFERENCE ON NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES: ROLE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Authors: Dr Muhammad Hassam Khan, Lecturer Family Medicine and Dr Abdul Jalil Khan, Assistant Professor & Head of Family Medicine Department, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan

Khyber Medical University recently hosted a two-day conference on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with the aim of highlighting the importance of primary healthcare in disease prevention and management. The conference, which took place in Peshawar, was attended by a range of healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers The president of Pakistan, Dr ArifAlvi,wasthechiefguest,underliningthe significance of the event for the healthcare sectorinthecountry.

The conference shed light on the high burdenofNCDsinPakistanandemphasized the need for a shift in the healthcare paradigm Instead of focusing primarily on hospitals,thespeakersadvocatedforgreater emphasis on prevention strategies at the primary care level One of the notable discussions during the conference was breaking the mannikins of NCDs. The speakers underscored the importance of family physicians in educating patients, promoting healthy lifestyles, and providing counselling services to manage and prevent NCDs The establishment of a proper structure and recognition of family physicians could lead to significant improvements in patient safety, disease prevention, and cost savings in the healthcaresector

The conference marks an important step towards a more holistic approach to healthcareinPakistan,emphasizingtherole of primary healthcare in managing and preventingNCDs

With the insights gained from the conference, policymakers and healthcare professionals can work towards implementingeffectivepreventionstrategies andreducingtheburdenofNCDsontertiary care

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS CONDUCTED BY FAMILY MEDICINE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Family Medicine at Khyber Medical University also hosted preconference workshops on 21 February on a variety of important topics One such workshop focused on de-escalation of violence in healthcare, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross The ICRC's "Health Care in Danger" project focuses on training healthcare professionals in conflict and post-conflict zones, and the Department of Family Medicine is collaborating with the organization to provide such training in healthcare institutions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

According to recent data, around 496% of healthcare workers in Pakistan have experienced violence in the workplace, with a third of these incidents occurring within thelastsixmonths Healthcareworkersface arangeofviolentbehaviors,includingverbal abuse,physicalassault,andfalseclaims.The workshop provided training to healthcare professionals on how to recognize potentiallyviolentsituationsandhowtodeescalate them to promote safety in the workplace The workshop was attended by healthcare professionals from a range of institutions, and they provided positive feedback,statingthatsimilartrainingshould beconductedintheirinstitutionsaswell.

Anotherworkshopattheconferencefocused on medical and research ethics This workshop was designed to provide training on ethical issues and professionalism in medical research and practice. Attendees included doctors, dentists, public health professionals, and allied health science professionals

A third workshop focused on basic life support training, which is a critical skill for healthcare professionals The workshop covered topics such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and choking emergencies

The importance of these workshops cannot be overstated, as they provide healthcare professionals with essential skills and knowledge that can improve patient safety and care The Department of Family Medicine is committed to providing such training to healthcare professionals across the region and playing a role in improving safetyandprofessionalisminthehealthcare sector.

Basic Life Support workshop for healthcare professionals by the Department of Family Medicine

At Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan