Intern Emerg Med. 2026 Aug 7. doi: 10.1007/s11739-026-04483-y. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The objective is to describe patterns of noncommunicable disease (NCD) service delivery and the operational roles of the different Emergency Medical Team (EMT) types-Type1 mobile (outpatient mobile primary care), Type1 fixed (outpatient static primary care), and Type2 (inpatient and surgical care)-in NCD care during the emergency response in Gaza throughout 2024-2025. This study analyzed routinely collected aggregate data from the World Health Organization EMT Minimum Data Set reported by EMTs across Gaza between January 2024 and December 2025. A total of 317,624 NCD consultations were included. Consultations for hypertension, diabetes, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, and epilepsy were examined across the different EMT types. Temporal trends were analyzed across six predefined conflict phases using non-parametric statistical testing. Statistically significant differences were observed for NCD consultations across EMT types, suggesting complementary roles. Type1 mobile teams showed the highest proportions of new diagnoses, indicating a frontline case-detection role. Type1 fixed teams demonstrated intermediate follow-up new diagnosis ratios, functioning primarily as chronic disease management hubs. Type2 teams managed the highest burden of acute exacerbations (87.6%), reflecting their role in severe complication management. NCD consultation patterns varied across conflict phases, with increases during ceasefire periods. Aggregate data from EMTs in Gaza revealed patterns consistent with comprehensive NCD care, including case detection, longitudinal clinical management, and acute exacerbation care across EMT types. These findings highlight the importance of integrating NCD services early in humanitarian responses, sustaining continuity of care, and reducing downstream pressure on higher-level services during conflicts.
PMID:42565964 | DOI:10.1007/s11739-026-04483-y