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Intensive care for COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries: research opportunities and challenges

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been felt worldwide. However, of the 10 countries with the highest number of COVID-19 patients and deaths, seven are low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [1]. As of the end of August 2020, more than 9 million cases had been reported in just two LMICs: Brazil and India. In these 2 countries, more than 200,000 deaths have been recorded to date. Current data show that in Brazil and South Asia, mortality rates among ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients are high: up to 66% [2]. At the same time, there remain large global variations in the incidence, severity and outcomes of this illness. The basic epidemiology of the pandemic, including in LMICs, has already been well described [2,3,4]. However, given that over 75% of the global population resides in LMICs, and agencies such as the WHO have warned that the worst of the pandemic may be yet to come, its potential impact in LMICs, both on patients and on healthcare workers, is difficult to overstate. This editorial summarises the present situation from the perspective LMIC critical care research, highlighting possible opportunities, responses and challenges.

Read full text: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00134-020-06285-y