In recent years, we have seen healthcare systems collapse under the strain of natural disasters and armed conflict and hundreds of millions of people being forcibly displaced. So, how do we meet the healthcare needs of people in humanitarian disasters, let alone those living through these nightmares with a rare disease such as NMO?

To talk about the unique challenges of diagnosing and treating rare conditions like NMO in these low-resource settings, we are joined by Dr. Farrah Mateen.

She highlights common barriers such as lack of disease awareness, limited diagnostic testing availability, and restricted treatment access. Dr. Mateen also proposes concrete goals to better support patients facing the most challenging circumstances.

ABOUT US:

The Demystifying NMO and MOG podcast is a Sumaira Foundation (TSF) project and

was made possible with the generous support of Genentech.

SOCIAL & WEBSITE:

Farrah Mateen, MD, PhD

Website - https://doctors.massgeneralbrigham.org/provider/Farrah+J+Mateen/255866

Global Neurology Research Group - www.massgeneral.org/neurology/research/global-neurology-research-group

Twitter - https://twitter.com/FarrahMateen

The Sumaira Foundation

Website - www.sumairafoundation.org

Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheSumairaFoundation

LINKS:

Mateen FJ. Neurological disorders in complex humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. Ann Neurol. 2010 Sep;68(3):282-94. doi: 10.1002/ana.22135. PMID: 20818788.

Mateen FJ. Neurocritical care in developing countries. Neurocrit Care. 2011 Dec;15(3):593-8. doi: 10.1007/s12028-011-9623-7. PMID: 21863357.

Mateen FJ, Hanafi I, Birbeck GL, Saadi A, Schmutzhard E, Wilmshurst JM, Silsbee H, Jones LK Jr; AAN Quality Committee. Neurologic Care of Forcibly Displaced Persons: Emerging Issues in Neurology. Neurology. 2023 May 16;100(20):962-969. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000206857. Epub 2023 Mar 1. PMID: 36859408; PMCID: PMC10186241.

Mateen FJ. Rectifying global inequities in neuromyelitis optica diagnosis and treatment. Mult Scler. 2023 Jul;29(8):932-935. doi: 10.1177/13524585231179108. Epub 2023 Jun 10. PMID: 37300419.

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Donate to Illuminate

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CREDITS:

Producer & Host - Brian Dawson

Music - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Episode #30 | Navigating NMO in Challenging Circumstances: Global Inequities in Care