Sechenov University has recently hosted the conference “Strategic Dialogue: Interregional Co-Operation on Innovation in the Field of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).” The event was attended by representatives of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, as well as WHO representatives from Croatia, Jordan, Bahrain, Montenegro, Turkey, Estonia, and Kazakhstan.

Victor Fomin, Vice-Rector for Innovation and Clinical Affairs of Sechenov University, greeted the participants on behalf of Rector Petr Glybochko. In this welcome address, Victor Fomin said that one of the top priorities of the University is the development of the research potential and clinical technologies for the prevention and control of NCDs. Victor Fomin commented that the Institute for Leadership and Healthcare Management at Sechenov University is crucial for this mission, as is the co-operation with the WHO.

Ruslan Khalfin, Director of the Institute for Leadership and Healthcare Management, emphasised the importance of having competent managers in healthcare — the goal which is not yet achieved. “But no one becomes a leader in management just like that; qualified managers need to be educated, taking into account the lessons of the pandemic,” said Ruslan Khalfin.

Over the past seven years, the Institute for Leadership and Healthcare Management has been actively collaborating with the WHO. Svetlana Axelrod, Coordinator of Integrated Country Support Programmes at the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, said that this interaction is fruitful — especially the co-operation with young specialists from Sechenov University.

During the meeting, the staff of the Institute for Leadership and Healthcare Management shared their experiences of working with the WHO in the field of epidemiological surveillance of NCD risk factors and presented their research on public health. Young scientists from the Institute for Leadership and Healthcare Management showcased the research projects on the prevention and control of NCDs.

The meeting culminated in the decision to strengthen interregional research co-operation on the control and prevention of NCDs. The key areas of work will be the development of innovative technologies, improvement of health literacy among the general public and healthcare professionals, as well as promotion of healthy life through innovative diagnosis and treatment methods.