Resources

A research study of close contacts of individuals with COVID-19 in Brazil finds that POC rapid antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2 are highly versatile and useful tools for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. The study demonstrates the near immediate time-to-result of POC rapid antigen tests significantly offsets reduced sensitivity by enabling early identification of positive cases and decreasing onward viral transmission. In settings where RT-PCR is unavailable due to financial or infrastructure limitations, or where time-to-results is >4 days, close to 90% of individuals with Ct<34 could benefit from an earlier result via a POC test. Even in settings where PCR results are available within 24 hours, cumulative sensitivity of a POC test is >70%.

Findings from a research study assessing knowledge of G6PD deficiency, practice of treating patients with G6PD deficiency, and perceptions about point-of-care G6PD deficiency tests in India, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Decisions in the procurement and effective management of equipment contribute to determining the capacity of health facilities in treating COVID-19 patients specifically and providing oxygen therapy in general. The objective of the study is to describe systems for procurement and management of medical equipment and supplies in Vietnam in general and for care and treatment of COVID-19 patients in particular, including medical oxygen.Data collected in this study will help the Vietnam Ministry of Health and PATH analyze current procurement practices, explore strategies, and provide the technical support needed to increase access to respiratory care for patients in need in Vietnam. The data collected will also help describe current systems for procurement and management of medical equipment, supplies, and medical oxygen in health facilities at different levels of the health system in Vietnam. Understanding how to manage medical equipment and supplies in general and respiratory care equipment specifically can help mobilize or reallocate equipment among health facilities effectively, especially in emergencies. This information can be used for decision-making and recommendations for future procurement and management of medical equipment and supplies.

Medical devices are often neglected in health system planning, despite playing a critical role in diagnosis and treatment of numerous medical conditions. Since 2016, PATH has worked with the Indonesia Ministry of Health (MOH) and local partners to strengthen access to medical devices, including assessing availability of respiratory care equipment, establishing an oxygen working group and facilitating its participation in an international convening. In 2021, PATH focused on strengthening COVID-19 respiratory care response efforts and improving access to a broader range of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) devices. This factsheet provides additional details on these critical efforts.

As the backbone of health systems, primary health care is where smart investments and improvements in accessibility, availability, and quality are direly needed—not only to prevent and manage COVID-19, but also to protect against future outbreaks and accelerate progress toward health for all. We must work across sectors to protect communities by maintaining essential health services, leveraging ingenuity and innovation to adapt primary health care, and ultimately building stronger, more resilient health systems.In this brief, we present the work we are doing in partnership with governments and communities around the world to help reduce the impact of COVID-19 and protect the essential services and opportunities that can accelerate long-needed shifts toward more people-centered and multidisciplinary primary health care systems that will last long past when this crisis abates.