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The expansion of a current project by the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Institute at the University aims to improve access to specialty care for complex, chronic conditions such as – hepatitis C, HIV, tuberculosis.
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| The Merck Foundation in collaboration with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Centre has announced the provision of a grant of US$7 million over five years to support healthcare in Vietnam. |
In addition, it addresses novel and innovative approaches related to care for non-communicable diseases including diabetes and mental health conditions, in underserved communities both in Vietnam and India.
Project ECHO is a tele-mentoring model that links expert specialists with primary care providers through virtual clinics where the specialists mentor and share their knowledge through case-based learning and guided practice, enabling primary care providers to develop the ability to treat patients with complex conditions within their own communities.
The overarching goals of the project are to provide training and technical assistance; develop and expand specialty teams at academic medical and health care centres across both countries; and implement training programs for local community health workers.
“At Merck, we value and support our partners who are experimenting with new health care models and technologies aimed at solving complex health problems,” said Dr Julie L Gerberding, chief executive officer of the Merck Foundation.
“Project ECHO will help to make a meaningful impact on patients living with chronic conditions in India and Vietnam by empowering local providers with the specialized medical knowledge they need.”
“We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation from the Merck Foundation,” said Dr Sanjeev Arora, creator and director of Project ECHO.
“Strengthening the skills and capabilities of primary care providers in rural or remote settings helps to ensure patients receive the right care at the right place and the right time.”
As part of the initiative, a community health worker program will be developed to further expand access to appropriate care in rural communities throughout Vietnam and India.
The community health workers will join the more than 3,000 doctors, nurses and community health workers currently enrolled in Project ECHO’s comprehensive disease management programs. To date, more than 110 partners have launched their own ECHO hubs for more than 55 diseases and conditions in more than 20 countries.
About the Merck Foundation
The Merck Foundation is a US-based, private charitable foundation. Established in 1957 by Merck, a global health care leader, the Foundation is funded entirely by the company and is Merck’s chief source of funding support to qualified non-profit charitable organizations.
Since its inception, the Merck Foundation has contributed more than US$870 million to support important initiatives that address societal needs and are consistent with Merck’s overall mission to help the world be well.
About the ECHO Institute
The ECHO Institute, based at the University of New Mexico Health Science Centre, is a ground-breaking approach to increasing access to specialty care that started in 2003, in New Mexico.
ECHO is a lifelong learning and guided practice model that revolutionizes medical education and exponentially increases workforce capacity to provide best-practice specialty care and reduce health disparities.
