African film creates advocacy about diabetes

The local film will provide a better understanding about diabetes and benefit Malians and other French speaking countries in Africa.

'Le diabète Sucré', a film produced by the Malian NGO "Santé Diabète Mali" is now available on the WDF website. The film presents the new stakes of health caused by the increase of diabetes in Africa.

The film has shown to be a very good advocacy tool says Mr. Stéphane Bèsancon, Director of Santé Diabète Mali and responsible for the activities in the three WDF supported projects "Nutrition and diabetes","Training of health personnel" and "Improvement of prevention, care and diabetic foot project" in Mali.

To distribute the key messages, the film is used on the Internet like 'youtube' and is also available on the website of the non-governmental organisation "Santé Diabète Mali" (www.santediabetemali.org). The intention is to reach the general public when used in connection with awareness campaigns.

It has been very interesting for Mr. Stéphane Besancon and his project team to see how the audience reacts to the film: “People who know little about Africa are surprised to see that diabetes, known as a disease of the rich, is a problem in the poor countries and especially in Africa - actually they are very surprised about the presence of overweight and obesity in Africa”, he explains.

This information comes as such a surprise because it contradicts with the images that European media normal show of Africa.

When shown in the public audience, people of African origin living outside the continent often approach the team and are excited that diabetes is finally addressed as a public health problem which they feel is overlooked by the health care providers.

The film is produced by for Santé Diabète Mali by Ismael Diallo from Iso Design in cooperation with Santé Diabète Mali.

Watch the film in English
Watch the film in French

This page was last updated by TAJQ -12/9-07