Prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, Cameroon

Area Partner Project responsible Duration Project budget WDF contribution Project number

Cameroon Ministry of Public Health Prof. A. L. F.  Bella April 2007 – March 2009 EUR 901,087 EUR 600,000 WDF06-177

Objective

The project seeks to prevent, screen and treat diabetes-related ophthalmic complications in order to reduce the incidence of blindness linked to diabetes.

Expected impact

• Training of 4 ophthalmologists 3 internists/diabetologists, 6 nurses, 3 dieticians and 12 educators
• Raising awareness in the general population through screening and treatment of diabetic retinopathy
• 8,640 patients screened for diabetic retinopathy and treated where needed
• 6,048 angiographs performed
• 1,814 photocoagulations conducted

Results to date

• 7 ophthalmologists, 4 internists /diabetologists, 6 ophthalmology nurses, and 4 educators have been retrained prior to opening of sites.
• 3 educational audiovisual documentaries have been produced.
• The clinic in Yaoundé Central Hospital has opened and is functional. A fluorescent angiograph has been installed at the eye clinic in Garoua Provincial Hospital.
• 296 angiographies and 13 laser treatments have been realised mainly at the Yaoundé site and to some extent at the Garoua site.
• At the Yaoundé site two weekly group education sessions are held for diabetic patients. Eye nurses conduct other sessions during examination and consultation, and awareness sessions take place during group discussions.

Additional information on the project can be found here.

This page was last updated 10-2-2008 by bisl.wdf