Q1-08
	WDF - Leading funding agency Chronic non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory disease are the leading cause of death and disability but are surprisingly neglected issues on the global health agenda. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), they will also be the leading cause of death in low-income countries by 2015. If nothing is done to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, an estimated USD 84 billion of economic production will be lost from heart disease, stroke, and diabetes alone in developing countries and middle-income countries such as China, India, Russia and Brazil. While the challenge is huge, there is now, it seems light at the end of the long tunnel. Increasingly, relevant International agencies are recognising the need to address the problem. However, still very few financial resources are available to take action. In this setting it is no surprise that within a short span of six years the World Diabetes Foundation has already emerged as a leading funding agency for community actions to address prevention and treatment of diabetes in the developing world.   The work of the Foundation has received widespread accolades but the best was at the annual general assembly held in March 2008, when the shareholders of Novo Nordisk A/S approved an additional endowment of 575 million Danish Kroner and extended the original funding period by five years i.e. up to 2017; this coming over the original grant of 500 million DKK brings the total endowment from Novo Nordisk A/S to 1.075 billion DKK equivalent to approximately USD 221 million, at current exchange rates, to be disbursed over 15 years. This is truly good news for the poorest people with diabetes in the developing world. In this edition of our quarterly newsletter we would like to share with you stories from Cambodia, China and an innovative foot project in India who all share our mission and are helping establish infrastructure, building capacity, creating awareness and achieving health equity. In addition we encourage you to download and read the Annual Review 2007. This year’s Annual Review includes examples of best practices from around the world, demonstrating how the small catalytic investments and synergistic partnerships create disproportionately huge results.   Dr. Anil Kapur Managing Director World Diabetes Foundation
	The good work can go on The work of the Foundation has received widespread accolades but the best was at the annual general assembly held in March 2008, when the shareholders of Novo Nordisk A/S approved an additional endowment of 575 million Danish Kroner Read more
	Reaching far in China A National Diabetes Programme in China supported by The World Diabetes Foundation is aiming at bringing diabetes awareness and prevention to half of the republic’s population.  Read more
	Preventing diabetic foot complications A project in Karnataka, India, is preventing diabetes related amputations in rural areas by taking advanced high level of technology and a committed network of volunteers into a joint collaboration. Read more
	Providing access to care in Cambodia Private and corporate donations raised through a range of activities, have made it possible to inaugurate two new diabetes clinics in Kratie and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Read more
	Annual Review 2007 This year’s Annual Review includes examples of best practices from around the world, demonstrating how even the smallest investments and partnerships can accelerate a catalytic effect. You can download the report from our website.     Read more