The scale of the refugee influx in 2022 following the outbreak of war in Ukraine was unprecedented; it resulted in substantial health needs for the affected population and required a wide-ranging response from the Government of the Republic of Moldova and its partners. This noncommunicable diseases (NCD) Operational Review, conducted by WHO and the Republic of Moldova’s Ministry of Health, focuses on the response to NCDs, which were a significant cause of morbidity and mortality prior to the emergency, with a highlighted case study on cancer care. The Review aims to identify good practice, lessons learned and suggest actions to address NCD challenges in response efforts, whilst also contributing to system strengthening and resilience for future emergencies. Success factors include the rapid extension of a comprehensive package of services to refugees, and later development of a package of services for refugees under temporary protection, with funding supported by international partners. Further work is planned to continue to expand the service package, strengthen health information systems and build resilience for future emergencies. This Review, alongside other recent NCD-focused Operational Reviews, provides critical lessons for the response to NCDs in emergencies.
Overview