WDF06-181 Diabetes care promotion, Sudan

Diabetes is considered a rapidly growing health problem and represents around 10% of all hospital admissions in Sudan.

Diabetes is currently gaining more concern in national health plans and resources. Increasing access to quality diabetes care and patient education, giving priority to high prevalence states, is the main concern of the national diabetes strategic plan.

Objective

The project aims to improve the health related quality of life of people with diabetes

Approach

The specific objectives are to improve the quality of health care and to raise public awareness on diabetes control and prevention through enhancing the capacity of the primary health care system and education of local communities.

This project builds on and benefits from the achievements of an earlier WDF funded project in Sudan; Diabetes Care Promotion (WDF03-061).

The implementation of WDF03-061 had significant impact in strengthening the ownership at local and federal levels and also encouraged more partners to come on board with considerable contributions, specifically in support of insulin supply. Other states and local partners were successfully encouraged to replicate the model of the project.

Based on the diabetes prevalence, four states have been selected as implementation sites for this project; Sinnar in the southern part of Khartoum, North Kurdufan in the western part of the country, Red Sea at the eastern border of Sudan and the Blue Nile which forms the bridging area between Northern and Southern Sudan.

Major activities of this project include establishing of diabetes health care facilities, mainly diabetes mini-clinics, training of health professionals, strengthening health information and referral systems and education of local communities.

Development of health facilities is considered the backbone of the project.

The achievements gained during the implementation of the first project (WDF03-061) in 4 states will be consolidated. The expansion to 4 additional states (Sinnar, North Kurdufan, Red sea and Blue Nile) is highly needed to cover most of the high prevalence states.

25 Diabetes Mini Clinics (DMCs) and 4 Diabetes Units (DUs) will be established:

- 6 DMCs and 1 DU  in North Kurdufan

- 7 DMCs and 1 DU in Sinnar

- 6 DMCs and 1 DU in Red Sea State

- 6 DMCs and 1 DU in Blue Nile State 

In the 4 states, training of health care personnel will be conducted according to the national guidelines and protocols. During the two year project period a total of 95 practitioners, 84 educators and 15 project staff will be trained.

Diabetes Practitioners and Educators from the 4 target states will undergo a 1-week training programme combined with a 4-week attachment in accordance with the national guidelines and protocols. In addition, 15 personnel involved in the management of the project will be trained in health programme and project management.

As part of the project, a NCD risk factor survey will be conducted with WHO during 2007 in which diabetes is the first priority disease targeted. The survey is anticipated to contribute to the development of an epidemiological map of diabetes all over the country.  

The referral system will be strengthened by establishing guidelines, referral plans and communication pathways and other material to be used by the mini clinics and diabetes units.

Education of local communities

In addition to the strengthening of health care capacity, health education of local communities through training sessions, home visits and local mass media will take place, targeting groups of the population living in the areas of the implementing health facilities. Most of these activities will be conducted through other partners, mainly local NGOs.

Expected impact

• 25 new diabetes mini-clinics and 4 new diabetes units created
• Training of health care professionals and community members: 95 practitioners, 84 educators and 15 project staff
• Strengthening of the information and referral systems

Results to date

• 13 diabetes mini clinics have been opened in the four implementing states (White Nile, Blue Nile, Sinnar and North Kodofan).
• Four diabetes units have been opened at Blue Nile and Sinnar states referral hospitals as well as in the states of North Kordufan and White Nile.
• 1,908 patients have been registered at 13 clinics. 
• 15 project staff members, 44 educators, and 50 practitioners from the four states have been trained in diabetes programme management and diabetes health education. Four meetings were conducted with community leaders, diabetics and non-diabetics in four states.
• Statistical information tools packages have been disseminated to the four states, and health education material has been developed for training of local communities.

Project data

Area Partner Project responsible       Duration Project budget WDF contribution Project number

Sudan National Diabetes Programme, Federal MoH S. M. Hassan August 2007 - August 2009 EUR 356,000 EUR 164,300 WDF06-181

This page was last updated 11-13-2008 by bisl.wdf