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Prevalence of diabetes is on an increase in Bhutan, yet the existing capacity for diabetes prevention and care is very limited.
Therefore, in its 9th Five Year Plan 2002-2007, the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) has identified diabetes care as a key area to be developed.
Objective
The project seeks to establish quality diabetes care in Bhutan in order to prevent, control and manage the disease and its complications.
Approach
The project is coordinated by the Department of Medical Services at the Bhutanese Ministry of Health.
RGOB provides all health care services in Bhutan free of charge through 164 basic health units, 29 smaller hospitals and 2 referral hospitals - one in the capital of Thimpu and one in the eastern part of the country.
Two diabetes clinics will be established during the project - initially at the national referral hospital in Thimpu and 1-2 years later at Mongar hospital. As such services were previously unavailable, the clinics are expected to immediately improve diabetes care and prevent and delay the disease and its related complications.
As training capacity for a specialised area such as diabetes is not available within Bhutan, the project engages in a tutor arrangement with the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in diabetes (BIRDEM). BIRDEM is a WHO collaborating centre for prevention and control of diabetes. BIRDEM will provide expertise and training in Bhutan as well as in Bangladesh.
The trained personnel will develop treatment management and self-care guidelines with the assistance of the tutor institute. Also, the curriculum on diabetes for health assistants and nurses will be reviewed and updated.
Public awareness on diabetes, care, self-care, diet etc. will be made through one to one contact at the clinics, health education sessions, peer group discussions as well as through the mass media.
Danida, the Danish international development assistance, has supported the health sector in Bhutan for the last 12 years, at present primarily through direct budget support. This project is a result of the Memorandum of Understanding between the World Diabetes Foundation and Danida.
Expected impact
- 2 specialised diabetes clinics established reaching the estimated 10-20,000 people with diabetes in Bhutan
- 100 doctors, 250 health assistants and 150 nurses trained in diabetes prevention and care
- By the end of the project all health care workers in Bhutan are expected to be knowledgeable of diabetes prevention and treatment
Results to date as of December 2006
- Two diabetes clinics have been established: Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital in Timphu the western part of Bhutan and on 14 November 2006 the Monggar Regional Referral Hospital located in the eastern part of Bhutan
- In November 2005, 20 nurses from district hospitals were trained on management of diabetes and on diabetes education
- A three day seminar on diabetes for Medical officers, specialists and senior nurses was held in November 2005
- On World Diabetes Day 14 November 2004 an information campaign was held and blood sugar testing was conducted in the monk society, a high risk group for developing hypertension and diabetes
- Awareness and advocacy campaigns were held during the highly visited Monggar Tsechu festival
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