 |
| Belgium’s HRH Princess Astrid visits Monash-hosted Multiple Sclerosis data registry that is helping patients worldwide |
HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium's Visit to the MSBase Registry at Monash University
Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Astrid of Belgium recently toured the Monash University-hosted MSBase Registry, a groundbreaking initiative transforming the treatment and lives of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients worldwide through innovative healthcare data utilization.
The MSBase Registry, the world's sole international database of MS patients, operates from the Monash Central Clinical School, housing over 92,000 patient records from more than 170 collaborating clinics across 43 countries. This registry played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it was instrumental in quickly establishing the safety of MS patients continuing their critical treatments amidst initial concerns about COVID-19 complications.
The MSBase Registry's remarkable success has garnered the attention of healthcare authorities in Belgium, serving as a case study in the effective use of healthcare data to enhance patient outcomes. HRH Princess Astrid's visit to Australia is part of the 2023 Belgium Economic Mission, focusing on promoting business and academic collaborations, including innovative healthcare data applications.
Monash University's Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Susan Elliott AM, highlighted the value of healthcare data, emphasizing its potential to provide valuable insights for improving healthcare delivery. The MSBase Registry stands as an exemplary model for the responsible use of healthcare data, underscoring Monash's commitment to addressing global challenges through research and innovation.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex condition affecting the central nervous system, impacting nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It affects over 33,300 Australians and nearly 3 million individuals worldwide. While treatments have improved, the cause remains elusive, necessitating lifelong treatment for most patients.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MS health community faced anxiety due to the use of immune-suppressing therapies for many MS patients. Professor Helmut Butzkueven, Managing Director of the MSBase Registry, and also the van Cleef Roet Chair of Neuroscience at Monash's Central Clinical School, acted swiftly to address whether MS patients should continue their treatments amid COVID-19 risks or suspend treatment, risking severe relapses and permanent disability.
The Belgium-based MS Data Alliance issued an urgent call for international data on COVID-19 risks, and the MSBase Registry promptly responded by developing case forms and sharing outcomes data. This initiative confirmed that COVID-19 risks for MS patients were low, allowing most individuals to continue treatment safely.
The MSBase Registry is part of The Alfred Precinct, uniting eight independent organizations to create a hub of excellence for medical and health research and education. Following Princess Astrid's visit, a symposium at The Alfred brought together Belgian and Australian researchers and policymakers to discuss the future of medical data management, security, and evidence generation, inspiring future collaborations to address health challenges.
Post a Comment