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In 2003, a Rapid Assessment Protocol for Insulin Access (RAPIA) was carried out in Mozambique by the International Insulin Foundation.
The RAPIA resulted in a number of recommendations for improving insulin availability in the country. However, the recently created non-communicable disease (NCD) group in the Mozambican Ministry of Health realised that the problems identified by the RAPIA have a wider relevance to NCD management than for type 1 diabetes alone.
The RAPIA recommendations now constitute an integral part of the national NCD plan which is being formulated by the government of Mozambique in collaboration with WHO.
Approach
Implementation of the RAPIA in Mozambique in 2003 resulted in a number of recommendations which were subsequently prioritised locally by the relevant stakeholders.
One key aspect coming out of the RAPIA was the lack of an overall policy framework to guide and direct improvement of diabetes care in Mozambique.
The Ministry of Health and the Mozambican diabetes association, AMODIA have asked the International Insulin Foundation to assist in the development of a national diabetes programme to form part of the overall NCD programme.
Another key recommendation was the need to revitalise and strengthen AMODIA which up until the RAPIA was only functioning in the capital of Maputo in the southern most part of the country.
AMODIA is keen to expand its services geographically to cover all provinces of Mozambique to act a an advocate and counsellor for people with diabetes in Mozambique.
As part of the present project, AMODIA offices in Maputo and Beira will be equipped and staff will receive training both in the area of diabetes education and the area of how to strengthen the association in a sustainable manner.
The diabetes association in neighbouring Tanzania (TDA) has successfully undergone a similar growth process during the last couple of years and TDA has agreed to share with AMODIA the lessons learned as well as the pros and cons of this process.
Clinical practice guidelines for management of diabetes form a central part of improving diabetes care in Mozambique. IDF Africa is in the process of finalising Clinical practice guidelines along with a diabetes education manual funded by WDF specifically for the African continent.
These guidelines will be available in Portuguese and be distributed. Health care professionals in Mozambique will be trained in the use of the guidelines. | 
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