Introduction

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming an increasing concern in humanitarian settings, where access to healthcare and medical resources is often limited, and the needs of displaced populations can overwhelm existing systems. This course will equip participants with the knowledge and tools to address NCDs in crisis situations, focusing on early detection, management, prevention, and integration into humanitarian response programs.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Understand the epidemiology of NCDs in humanitarian settings and their impact on vulnerable populations
• Learn strategies for integrating NCD care into emergency humanitarian responses
• Understand the challenges of diagnosing, treating, and managing chronic conditions in environments with limited healthcare infrastructure
• Gain knowledge of NCD prevention, including nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and community-based health promotion
• Be equipped with tools to advocate for NCD care integration in humanitarian policies and programs
• Learn about health system strengthening in conflict-affected areas to better address the growing burden of NCDs
• Develop an understanding of the role of mental health and psychosocial support in the management of NCDs in crisis contexts

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for:

• Humanitarian health professionals including doctors, nurses, medical coordinators, and health program managers
• Public health professionals involved in emergency response and health systems strengthening
• NGO staff working on health, nutrition, and mental health programs in crisis situations
• Policy makers and government officials engaged in healthcare system development in humanitarian contexts
• Aid coordinators and disaster management professionals
• Donors and funders interested in addressing the health needs of vulnerable populations in humanitarian settings

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Humanitarian Settings

📌 Key Topics:

• What are Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)?: Overview of NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer
• Global Trends and the Burden of NCDs: How NCDs are affecting populations worldwide, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries and crisis zones
• The Impact of Crises on NCDs: How conflict, displacement, and disasters exacerbate the prevalence and management of NCDs
• Challenges of Managing NCDs in Humanitarian Settings: Limited access to healthcare, lack of medicines, fragmented health systems, and inadequate health infrastructure
• Health Needs of Displaced Populations: Vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Case Study: Participants analyze a real-world example of NCD management in a refugee camp or conflict zone and discuss challenges faced.

Day 2: Diagnosis and Management of NCDs in Humanitarian Settings

📌 Key Topics:

• Early Detection of NCDs: Challenges and opportunities for screening in low-resource settings (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, and COPD)
• Medical Management of NCDs: Essential medicines, treatment guidelines, and task-shifting for low-resource environments
• Managing Chronic Conditions in Crisis Contexts: Practical strategies for the management of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory conditions without the usual access to equipment and infrastructure
• Multidisciplinary Approach to Care: Collaboration between doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and mental health professionals
• Role of telemedicine and mobile health technologies in NCD management

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Simulation: Participants simulate the management of a patient with an NCD in a field clinic, taking into account resource limitations and treatment protocols.

Day 3: Preventing NCDs in Humanitarian Contexts

📌 Key Topics:

• Nutrition and Lifestyle Modifications: The role of diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation in preventing NCDs
• Health Promotion Strategies: Community-based health education campaigns to raise awareness of NCDs and promote healthier behaviors
• Addressing NCD Risk Factors in Humanitarian Settings: Key risk factors like poor nutrition, mental stress, lack of physical activity, and tobacco use in crisis zones
• Mental Health and NCDs: The intersection between mental health issues and NCDs in crises, including stress management, depression, and trauma
• NCD Prevention in Humanitarian Response Plans: How to integrate NCD prevention into existing humanitarian interventions

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Community Engagement Workshop: Design a community health campaign to promote NCD prevention (e.g., healthy eating, physical activity, stress reduction).

Day 4: Integrating NCD Care into Humanitarian Responses

📌 Key Topics:

• Integration of NCD Care into Emergency Health Programs: Best practices for integrating NCD care into emergency medical services, refugee camps, and mobile health clinics
• Humanitarian Health Systems Strengthening: Building capacity and resilience in local health systems to manage NCDs, even in post-crisis or resource-constrained environments
• Humanitarian Funding and Resource Mobilization for NCDs: Identifying funding opportunities for NCD-specific interventions in humanitarian contexts
• Policy Advocacy for NCDs: Advancing health policy advocacy to ensure that NCDs are prioritized in humanitarian health responses
• Collaborating with International Health Organizations: The role of organizations like WHO, UNHCR, and MSF in addressing NCDs in crisis zones

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Role Play: Participants simulate a coordination meeting with health actors (NGOs, government representatives, donors) to advocate for the inclusion of NCDs in a humanitarian response plan.

Day 5: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Future Directions in NCDs in Humanitarian Settings

📌 Key Topics:

• Monitoring and Evaluating NCD Interventions in Humanitarian Settings: Tools and techniques for tracking progress and measuring impact of NCD programs in crisis contexts
• Challenges of Data Collection and Surveillance: Overcoming challenges in data collection, health surveillance, and monitoring in emergency settings
• Global and Regional Frameworks for NCD Prevention: Understanding global health initiatives and how they apply in the context of displacement and conflict
• Future of NCD Management in Humanitarian Aid: Exploring emerging trends, such as digital health, mobile health applications, and innovative partnerships in humanitarian health responses
• Moving Forward with NCDs in Humanitarian Settings: Strategies for scaling up NCD care, improving health system integration, and sustaining programs beyond emergency interventions

🛠 Practical Exercise:

• Project Design: Participants develop a comprehensive NCD program that can be implemented in a specific humanitarian context, incorporating monitoring and evaluation components.

Conclusion & Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Certificate in Non-communicable Diseases in Humanitarian Settings, equipping them to address the complex and growing issue of NCDs in humanitarian aid operations and emergency response.