Q1-09
	Africa in focus  This Newsletter is entirely dedicated to Sub-Saharan Africa which has so far received 31% of the World Diabetes Foundation’s funding despite accounting for only 7% of people with diabetes eligible for funding support from the Foundation. Why this bias for Africa? Resources for diabetes prevention and treatment are scarce throughout the African continent which is projected to have an 80% increase in the number of people with diabetes in the next 15 years. With projects in 20 countries in the Sub-Saharan region, we are proud to support local initiatives within existing health systems as well as strengthening the local health authorities’ commitment and resolve to create prevention programs, raise awareness and improve access to care for diabetes as well as assisting them to prepare for the long-term future challenges of dealing with the burden of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.                          Common to all four project countries covered in this edition is severe poverty and limited financial resources and capacity in the health care system. This is why initiatives from individuals and groups are so important. As we shall see, all initiatives are driven by energetic people. In the story from Ghana, we visit a small, community based project that organises awareness camps in remote areas. In Rwanda, an ambitious training programme sets up diabetes teams at district level in a country barely emerging from the nightmare of the recent genocide and becoming rapidly aware of the diabetes burden facing the devastated health system. In the Republic of Congo our protagonist in the saga of diabetes awareness and care reveals what motivated him to return to his roots and make a change in his country. With a total of nine projects supported by the World Diabetes Foundation, Tanzania is the country in the region with which we have the longest and broadest experience. In the Tanzania country review we present a brief chronology of the projects and the development in diabetes care since the World Diabetes Foundation initiated its support. You may have read about some of these projects before but the country review provides us the opportunity to place our engagement and commitment over time and showcase the transformation that is underway.   As a new feature, I would like to draw your attention to the “Academic Corner” which is to bring a popular interpretation of knowledge oftentimes described among scientists and oftentimes only vaguely understood by laymen. The first Academic Corner takes a look at why diabetes is even a problem on a continent more known for famine than for obesity.   Our new Communications Coordinator Ms. Brit Larsen is introducing an innovative approach and style to the World Diabetes Foundation Newsletter. I enjoyed reading it and hope you will too. We encourage you to send your comments and suggestions.   Dr. Anil Kapur Managing Director, World Diabetes Foundation
	Academic corner: Africa's lurking diabetes burden Eight out of ten urban dwellers will live in a developing country by 2030. The lifestyle changes that follow in the wake of urbanisation will result in increasing cases of diabetes. By 2030, 19 million of them will be in Africa.  Read more
	Ghana: Remotely aware A community-based project supported by the World Diabetes Foundation in Ghana's Volta region creates diabetes awareness camps in remote communities. They are joined by the local radio station that announces camps and reports how many turned up.  Read more
	Congo: Beyond the ordinary In the midst of a country marked by professional migration, Dr. Evariste Bouenizabila works tirelessly to share his expert knowledge within diabetes care among his fellow Congolese colleagues. Read more
	Rwanda: Global diabetes trends begin to show  In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide and internal conflict, Rwandans show curiosity and eagerness to combat the new disease: diabetes. The World Diabetes Foundation supports a small, but important training project.    Read more
	Tanzania country review In 2002, when the World Diabetes Foundation funding was initiated, Tanzania had virtually no diabetes clinics. Today, the country has a network of diabetes clinics in all regions of the country. Read how diabetes care has been brought to the doorstep of poor people. Read more