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The World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) has published the brochure; “Five years on making a difference” to share some of the results of the funded projects.
This publication marks the five year anniversary of the foundation and provides an idea of the impact that project activities supported by WDF have had on people living with diabetes in the developing world.
Prof. Pierre Lefévbrè, WDF chairman, explains the intentions of WDF; “Five years ago, the World Diabetes Foundation set out to change the course of diabetes in the developing world, where relatively little attention had previously been paid to the disorder. By supporting clinics, training doctors and nurses, raising awareness and advocating national programmes, the Foundation aims to create innovative solutions that make a difference”.
The World Diabetes Foundation acts as a catalyst, creating partnerships and networks to globally educate and advocate and fund local initiatives to create awareness, provide care and relief to those least able to withstand the burden of diabetes.
Great impact achieved if commitment is present
Five years of experiences have shown that small projects can influence the quality of life for many people with diabetes, both within the limited project period and beyond, if the set up is right and people involved in the project are committed.
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Ally Mohammed Abdalla from Tanzania lost both his legs, and his first marriage, to diabetes.
One example of how a small project can have a huge impact is the gestational diabetes project in India run by Dr. V. Seshiah in Chennai, India. Five years ago, India had sketchy data on the prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM). WDF started funding Dr. Seshiah’s project in 2004 and since then 11,000 women in Chennai and surrounding rural areas have been screened, and those diagnosed with GDM have been offered free treatment.
Furthermore project data has established that 10-17% of all pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. This data has played a key role in the change of policies of GDM treatment in the state of Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India with a population of 62 million people.
This year, a government order has been issued which implies that all pregnant women are screened for free at 380 public health clinics in all of Tamil Nadu, adapting the screening methods used in the project. Further the government of Tamil Nadu has allocated 22 million USD in the next two years as a subsidy to pregnant women.
The GDM project is a clear example of the impact a project can have on the treatment of diabetes, both in a long term perspective by influencing health policies, and instantly by offering people living with diabetes treatment.
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