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The project seeks to address the lack of qualified health care professionals in the area of diabetes in developing countries.
Objective
The project aims to build capacity in the area of diabetes in the developing countries and to identify local champions.
Approach
The fellowship project, including the selection process, is run by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
The project focuses on enabling young health care professionals from less developed countries receive specialised training in the area of diabetes for a period of up to six months.
Emphasising South/South collaboration, the training granted to the fellows should preferably take place in their own geographical region; for instance Ghana to South Africa or Bangladesh to India.
Prior to proceeding for training, the selected candidates are asked to describe how they expect to apply their new knowledge in their home countries upon completion of the training. This information is then followed up through a questionnaire 6 months - 1 year after return from the training. The information gathered helps IDF and WDF assess the impact and sustainability of the fellowships.
Expected impact
In the first phase of the project, 4 fellowships received training grants. In this second phase, a minimum of 8 fellows will be provided with funds to enable them pursue specialised training in diabetes prevention, management and control.
In addition to the direct benefit to the successful candidates, an indirect multiplier effect is expected throughout the health care systems in the countries of origin of the fellows. The returning trainees will be in a position to pass on knowledge to other health care professionals of all categories. This may translate into an anticipated improvement in patient care.
Results at completion
- In the first phase of the project (2003-2004) training was granted to 4 fellowships from Nigeria, Peru, Cambodia and Bangladesh.
- In the second phase (2004-2006) 10 doctors from Uganda, Cuba, Nigeria, Kenya, Venezuela and Cameroon have received fellowships and completed training. Areas of focus have included general diabetes care, foot care, impotence, diagnosis and treatment of gestational diabetes and ultrasound scanning for malformations due to gestational diabetes.
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