Mixed methods evaluation of MSF primary care based NCD service in Irbid, Jordon: February 2017 - February 2018

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among Syrian refugees in Jordan. Following the onset of the Syrian crisis in 2011, the Jordanian health system was overwhelmed by the chronic disease burden among this group. In response, in late 2014, Médecins sans Frontières Operational Centre Amsterdam (MSF-OCA) opened an NCD service at two primary care centres targeting non-camp based Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians in Irbid, north Jordan, using a multi-disciplinary primary care model. The programme focused on the NCDs causing most deaths in pre-war Syria: cardiovascular disease (CVD), including hypertension, diabetes (DM), and chronic respiratory disease. The model evolved in response to patient needs, programmatic lessons learned and contextual changes. A programme evaluation was done, aiming to refine the model, generate evidence on its feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness and learn lessons to inform translation of a similar model of NCD care to comparable humanitarian settings.