Reorienting Health Services to People with Chronic Health Conditions: Diabetes and Stroke Services in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand

Abstract

This paper explores whether middle-income Asian countries are reorienting their health services in response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand were selected as case studies of Asian societies experiencing rapid increases both in NCDs and an aging population. While NCD programs, especially those related to diabetes and stroke, are well-established in Thailand, health services struggle to respond to increasing numbers of people with chronic health problems. Health services at all levels must plan ahead for more patients with chronic and often multiple conditions who require better integrated health care.