News and Media
One of the aims of the World Diabetes Foundation is to help create more awareness and advocay on diabetes.
On this page you will find the tools available for the media in writing about diabetes in the developing countries.
Story archive
The website of the World Diabetes Foundation is constantly updated with stories about the different activities world wide. Below you will find an overview of all our published stories.
2011 Advocacy milestones
Throughout 2011 WDF has worked hard to fulfil its mission of being a catalyst for change through focused advocacy work at local, regional and global level. We zoom in on some of the milestones reached in 2011. (Q4-11)
Networking in Dubai
WDF was present at the World Diabetes Congress in Dubai 4-8 December and took the opportunity to meet with current project partners and talk to potential ones. We asked our five busy programme coordinators about their experience. (Q4-11)
Interview: diabetes and tuberculosis hit the global agenda
The Collaborative Framework for Care and Control of Tuberculosis and Diabetes was launched in August this year. We spoke to one of the driving forces behind the genesis of this framework document, Prof. Anthony Harries, Senior Advisor in The Union. (Q4-11)
Walk! campaign takes first social media steps
The 2011 Global Diabetes Walk campaign took a leap into the sphere of social media. With a steady increase in walk participants each year, there was a need for people to also participate and share their ideas and Walks online. (Q4-11)
WDF fortifies auditing procedures in projects
By partnering up with the internationally recognised auditing company, PwC, WDF stresses its dedication to uphold the zero tolerance policy stated in the Foundation’s Code of Conduct. In the wake of this follows capacity building for projects partners who profit from improved auditing tools. (Q2-11)
Diabetes - the number one killer in Mexico
Dr Anil Kapur recently visited Mexico and had conversations with important health authorities and visited WDF-supported projects. With 14% of all deaths in the country occurring as a result of diabetes, the disease casts a heavy shadow over Mexico. (Q2-11)
Tonga - the diabetes heavy weight of the Pacific
A WDF-supported project has led to a doubling of the capacity for diabetes eye care in Tonga. The next step will be improvement of diabetic foot care – a component which is highly needed in the island nation where almost one in five inhabitants lives with diabetes. (Q2-11)
Cambodia: Peer education replaces Khmer medicine
Like many other people with diabetes Ms Mith Vannav resorted to drinking traditional, herbal medicine when she was first diagnosed. She hoped for a cure and had few options to seek advice or modern medication. Now, she promotes self-management in her community. (Q2-11)
Kosovo - on the gateway to Europe
In the south eastern corner of Europe, a group of dedicated health care personnel have managed to improve access to diabetes care to thousands of people. The particular place is Kosovo and the recipe is relatively simple: guidelines, training and decentralisation. (Q1-11)
Project 200 islands in the Maldives
How do ensure quality care in small and sparsely populated islands? Even more so, how do you face up to the global challenge of migration of health workers? The Maldives Diabetes Association has introduced a contract system to deal with the challenge. (Q1-11)
Creating access to care in Madagascar
Amidst enormous challenges in terms of infrastructure and medicine supply, the Madagascan Diabetes Association applies an approach which focuses on empowering the individual. The approach named ‘art therapy' and seems to be making a lasting difference for people with diabetes. (Q1-11)
Fulfilling a real need
WDF facts and figures. How many applications did WDF receive last year? And how many materialised into projects? Which regions received most support? And which countries are actually included in the particular geographical regions? (Q1-11)
As a follow-up to the intense mass media campaign run by Jagran Pehel in 14 Indian states, WDF has now embarked on a second project with the same media partner. This time the focus is zoomed in on gestational diabetes. (Q3-10)
On 25 August, Kenya saw its first comprehensive national diabetes strategy. In fact, it was not only Kenya's first, but the first national diabetes strategy on the African continent. It is the result of years of dedicated work. (Q3-10)
In this exclusive interview, one of the key players behind Kenya's National Diabetes Strategy speaks about what drives him and about the challenges along the way to his country's first diabetes strategy. (Q3-10)
Ever heard of the WDF Peer Programme? It gives the opportunity for candidates working on a WDF-project to go abroad on training with the ultimate goal of strengthening the capacity in their respective home countries. (Q3-10)
The WDF Peer Programme is a story of South-South cooperation involving peers from WDF projects in developing countries to be trained at Centres of Excellence also in developing countries. We follow two peers on their journey across two continents. (Q3-10)
Diabetes Summit for Latin America in Brazil
They came from all of Central and Latin America and the Caribbean. The common denominator for their rendezvous was the growing burden of diabetes throughout the continent. (Q2-10)
Voxpop: The participants said
During the Summit we asked some of the participants about the value of a summit and about what can be done in lifting the burden of diabetes in Latin America. (Q2-10)
Bridging the gap from health care system to patients in Brazil
Key in the recent Brazilian public health system reform is to improve access to care for the entire population. The World Diabetes Foundation supports the diabetes element in this reform. (Q2-10)
Having faith in the Lord and the community health worker
Brazil's community health workers ought to have the status of saints for the tremendous work they do in paying home visits and extending health care at people's doorstep. (Q2-10)
Nutrition and Action in São Paulo
When you are nine years old and in the midst of a busy school day, concentrating on nutrition and healthy lifestyle may be difficult. A group of enthusiastic volunteers manage to break the ice in São Paulo schools. (Q2-10)
Liliana's photo story
While a diabetes diagnosis is disheartening to most people, some people manage to get the best out of it. Liliana is one of them. (Q2-10)
Global Diabetes Walk 2010
Registration for this year's Global Diabetes Walk is now open. (Q2-10)
International NCD Conference in Copenhagen
The challenges and the way ahead for including NCDs in the global health agenda was the topic of an international NCD Conference organised by World Diabetes Foundation and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Q1-10)
Giving a voice to the voiceless
“The majority of people who die silently at home today should not continue to die. Diabetes should be taken care of just like HIV and tuberculosis,” says Robert Maregwa who lives with diabetes in one of Nairobi’s slum areas. (Q1-10)
The look in your eyes
Like every third citizen in Bolivia, Julia Toribio lives on less than USD 2 a day. Years of untreated diabetes left her blind, unable to work for a living and unable to see her children grow up. (Q1-10)
A great change with few resources
A poor Managua neighbourhood is not a safe place to go for a run. Against such odds and a low income, Martha Pavón has managed to loose weight and improve her HbA1c-level – all because the local health centre made a coordinated effort. (Q1-10)
From assumption to evidence
While diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing tuberculosis, strategies for cost-effective combined care are lacking. An important first step to smooth the way was taken in Paris last November.(Q4-09)
Sudan country review
The challenges and barriers are many when supporting projects in Sudan. Nevertheless, the World Diabetes Foundation commenced support in 2004 and due to an overwhelmingly positive experience the support has been extended to eight projects to date.(Q4-09)
Portrait of a tireless advocate
He almost gave up working with diabetes because of lack of resources. But since the 1990's, the number of diabetologists have grown from 4 to 40 and general progress has been made. Professor Mohammed Eltom tells about the steady work with diabetes in Sudan.(Q4-09)
A Walk for change
The Global Diabetes Walk 2009 is over. 305,479 participants in 52 countries set another record and collectively showed their concern about public health. See the beautiful snapshots from the Walks worldwide. (Q4-09)
When the earth trembles
While diabetes may not be at the top of the mind when a disaster hits, those who live with diabetes are doubly jeopardised. Two diabetes doctors share their experiences from earthquake stricken West Sumatra and Haiti.(Q4-09)
Academic corner: An insight into WDF's support to clinics
Are diabetes clinics erected in the bush to cater for people who have no access health care? And does the World Diabetes Foundation support bricks and building? Find the answer in the Academic Corner. (Q3-09)
From smoke signals to satellites
Diabetes clinics on wheels bring advanced care to remote areas and uses satellite connections to communicate with specialists at base hospitals.(Q3-09)
Building a friendly relationship with diabetes
When medical care is lacking and poverty ever-present, people need to be able to take care of themselves. In Jordan's micro-clinics patients are trained to manage their diabetes and watch out for their neighbours.(Q3-09)
Global Diabetes Walk across the globe
On the third UN observed World Diabetes Day, hundreds of thousands of people around the globe stepped up to create awareness about diabetes.(Q3-09)
Academic corner: Diabetes during pregnancy
More than half a million women die in connection with pregnancy or childbirth every year. Worldwide, 70 million women of reproductive age could be affected by diabetes during pregnancy. The Academic Corner discusses the urgency of including gestational diabetes in the global maternal health agenda.(Q2-09)
Where it all began: The Tamil Nadu gestational diabetes project
More than 12,000 women screened for gestational diabetes in Tamil Nadu uncovered an alarmingly high prevalence rate of 13.9%. The methods used in the project have been echoed throughout the state, making screening for gestational diabetes mandatory for all pregnant women, free of charge.(Q2-09)
Improving maternal care in Cuba
Cuban doctors already had the knowledge, but they lacked the infrastructure to systematically screen and register diabetes in pregnant women. The World Diabetes Foundation has supported the extension of maternal services for women with diabetes to all of Cuba’s provinces.(Q2-09)
Reaching communities in the West Bank
Of the 2.4 million people living in the West Bank, an estimated 11% live with diabetes. Because access to health care is a constant challenge, a dedicated group of health professionals and a Palestinian NGO have set out to meet people in their communities - in a comprehensive manner.(Q2-09)
Can gestational diabetes explain Cameroon's maternal deaths?
For every 100 live births in Cameroon, one woman dies. Many of the deaths remain unexplained. A team of diabetologists hope to find the cause behind some of the currently unexplained fetal and maternal deaths. Could it be linked to gestational diabetes? (Q2-09)
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. (Q1-09)
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. (Q1-09)
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. (Q1-09)
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. (Q1-09)
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. (Q1-09)
Oswati - one of Tanzania's children with diabetes
Since 2003, diabetes clinics have been established throughout Tanzania. Five clinics particularly care for children with type 1 diabetes and save children that would otherwise not have survived. Oswati Mollel is one of them. (Q4-08)
Creating access to eye care in Uzbekistan
In 2004, the World Diabetes Foundation supported the establishment of regional diabetes information throughout Uzbekistan. The follow-up is the establishment of eye care facilities and training of local ophthalmologists.(Q4-08)
From blindness to vision
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the major causes of preventable blindness in developing countries. A group of innovative ophthalmologists now offer prevention and care for people in rural and poor areas. (Q4-08)
WHO launches Action Plan for NCDs
WHO calls for support to address the global burden of non-communicable diseases. The call is formulated in a Global Action Plan named "Prevent and Control".(Q4-08)
Diabetes Summit for South-East Asia
In November, the Diabetes Summit for South-East Asia was held in Chennai, India. The discussion of how to tackle the escalating rates of diabetes was high on the agenda.(Q4-08)
A cause for celebration
Organising a charity dinner with prominent guests on World Diabetes Day became a was a successful start for a future mobile eye care unit in rural Thailand. (Q4-08)
Children and adolescents in focus on World Diabetes Day
Since 2004, the World Diabetes Foundation has encouraged people around the world to walk on World Diabetes Day. This year, particularly children and adolescents are encouraged to join the walk. (Q3-08)
Fundraising project supports children in Kenya
A recent fundraising project initiated by the World Diabetes Foundation will support 25 disadvantaged children in Kenya. The children and their families will learn to manage diabetes and to become role models rather than a burden for their families. (Q3-08)
Media campaign for prevention and care of diabetes in India
A major problem in addressing diabetes in India is related to ignorance and inaction in coping with the disease. The World Diabetes Foundation has teamed up with India's largest media house to make a difference and reach out to more than 300,000 people. (Q3-08)
China continues to create access to care
Living standards are on the rise in China. So is the prevalence of diabetes. After five initial years, the Chinese Ministry of Health is ready to board the second phase of the National Diabetes Programme with the support granted by the World Diabetes Foundation. (Q3-08)
A protocol with an impact
More than half of the Caribbean population is overweight and at risk of developing diabetes. The Caribbean Food & Nutrition Institute is changing the tide with a new national standard for nutritional care and management. (Q3-08)
Helping children in Sudan
With armed conflicts and chronic instability, a growing number of refugees, and poor infrastructure, the conditions for improving care for diabetes in Sudan could not be more challenging. Nonetheless, a dedicated group of health care professionals have set out to overcome those obstacles and provide care for poor and disadvantaged children. (Q2-08)
Images speak louder than words
At the World Media Festival held in Berlin, 2008 the joint WDF and NNIT FilmSolutions production, “Praying for a future”, received international recognition and was presented with two awards. (Q2-08)
Expert meeting at the UN demands action now
Leading global health experts, UN agencies and Permanent Missions convened at the UN headquarters to take part in a expert meeting organised by the Global Alliance for Women’s Health (GAWH) and the World Diabetes Foundation. (Q2-08)
WDF receives international accolades!
The World Diabetes Foundation and the assigned agency Biosector 2 was announced winners of the Communiqué Award in the category; Best International Media Relations campaign in connection with the Diabetes Press Summit in Africa, 2007. A highly prestigious award in a competitive category. (Q2-08)
Taking Action in Philippines
In 2007, the World Diabetes Foundation, and Novo Nordisk A/S decided to initiate the Take Action volunteer trips where communication staff from Novo Nordisk and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Youth Ambassadors report from WDF-supported projects in the developing countries. Ms. Sara Jensen who is an employee from Novo Nordisk Sweden reports from her recent visit to the Philippines. (Q2-08)
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. (Q1-08)
Fight 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. (Q1-08)
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. (Q1-08)
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. (Q1-08)
More hands to lift the burden
The year 2007 has been a turning point for the World Diabetes Foundation. Growing from fifteen odd projects in the first year of existence in 2002, today the Foundation has funded 138 projects covering 77 countries. In 2008, a few new staff members have joined the Secretariat. (Q4-07)
Reaching out to the children
Statistically there are 38,000 children in Sub Saharan Africa living with type 1 diabetes. However, the problem is that only a few of them receive medical attention before its too late, and even fewer are properly diagnosed and provided with lifesaving insulin.
Fundraising projects initiated by the World Diabetes Foundation in Tanzania and Cameroon support children with diabetes care and provide them with a hope of a normal life. (Q4-07)
Securing a future for Prince Leonard
Nine year old Prince Leonard Shoo from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, carries the double disease burden on his tiny shoulders, dealing with the major diseases of Africa by himself and in his family. (Q4-07)
Yemen off to a good start
A diabetes centre in Sana’a is the corner stone in a World Diabetes Foundation supported project that hopes to create awareness and start a process of building a national strategy to map and fight non-communicable diseases such as diabetes in this relatively poor country in the Middle East Region. (Q4-07)
Global awareness on World Diabetes Day 2007
On World Diabetes Day, 207,694 people from 70 different countries joined the Global Diabetes Walk in 2007. When walking, their thoughts have been with the 246 million people around the world who not only walk, but live with diabetes around the clock. (Q4-07)
In Mali, Mr. Stéphane Besancon has major plans for revising diabetes care. Three projects funded by World Diabetes Foundation may well help Mr. Besancon reach his goal (October 2007)
The WDF Peruvian project partner, Mrs. Martha Mora de Belaunde, did not hesitate when earthquakes struck Peru in mid August and jeopardized the health of people suffering from diabetes (October 2007)
One would least expect diabetes to be a problem in Burundi, yet the World Diabetes Foundation has received and funded two project proposals (October 2007)
In Nepal, a team completing their project in 2006 reflects back on what worked and what did not - and why!(October 2007)
Australian baritone Jeffrey Black, performing at the Together in Song-concert, has travelled to Cambodia and describes how his visit was an eye opener for him and his 13-year old son, who has diabetes (October 2007)
Since 2004, the World Diabetes Foundation has encouraged people around the world to walk on World Diabetes Day, this year we celebrate that UN recognises diabetes as global problem (October 2007)
On the 14th October, a charity Opera Concert to be held in Cadogan Hall in London will benefit people with diabetes in Cambodia. (September 2007)
A film produced by our project partner in Mali creates awareness about diabetes, the film is available on the WDF website (September 2007)
Distinguished members from the WDF, WHO, IDF, World Bank and the Danish government assembled to mark the official celebration of the Foundations five years of existence on 28th August 2007 (August 2007)
WDF shares results and impact in the brochure: “Five years on making a difference” (July 2007)
More than 230 delegates from 25 countries in Sub Saharan Africa convened at the Diabetes Summit Africa (July 2007)
At one of the WDF supported clinics in Kenya we met 7-year old Sheila (July 2007)
The “MARG”( Hindi for Path) programme is enjoying overwhelming success and support in North India. (July 2007)
Children are the most vulnerable people with diabetes, in Sudan they are helped by a project (July 2007)
The "Diabetes Clinical Practice Guidelines” and “Diabetes Education Training Manual” are released (July 2007)
June 2007, WDF holds its second regional diabetes summit (April 2007)
A look back on WDF project activities worldwide and with compelling stories from Latin America (April 2007)
Two container clinics build with the help of local voluntary forces and fundraising (April 2007)
Novo Nordisk CEO visits Cape Town, where the WDF idea began five years ago (April 2007)
Rewarded film based on footage from WDF tell the facts of diabetes to support a UN Resolution (April 2007)
A fundraising project will provide screenig and treatment to avoid blindness caused by diabetes (February 2007)
The General Assembly of the United Nations has by consensus adopted the resolution (December 2006)
Awarded retinopathy project in India draws attention (December 2006)
Managing director Anil Kapur met diabetes walkers and a First Lady during his visit to Indonesia (December 2006)
Programme manager Tilde Frøyr experienced a free screening campaign during the World Diabetes Day (December 2006)
Partners and press are offered to download the WDF logo (December 2006)
WDF has supported the IDF Diabetes Atlas - a comprehensive piece of diabetes facts and numbers (December 2006)
A true story from Brazil of 2 year old Beatriz who nearly didn't make it the day she developed type 1 diabetes (October 2006)
The global WDF/IDF Fellowship programme has helped nine young doctors towards the goal to be future diabetes champions (October 2006)
A favella in Brazil will benefit from Novo Nordisk fundraising during the Walk 2006 (October 2006)
The Global Diabetes Walk 2006 will put a spotlight on diabetes and UN resolution. 153,000 thousand have signed up to join the walk on 14 November (October 2006)
Fundraising money support education of nurses and eye-screening of people with diabetes (October 2006)
R.R. Lions Hospital in India is screening masses, detecting diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (October 2006)
The WDF sponsors an innovative and unique project in Karnataka (June 2006)
Every month employees from Novo Nordisk donate part of their pay check to diabetic children (June 2006)
The stamp will create nationwide awareness against the high rate of amputations in Tanzania (June 2006)
The WDF supports the Unite for Diabetes campaign aiming for a UN Resolution on diabetes in 2007 (June 2006)
A diabetes symposium organized by European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES) and the WDF (April 2006)
Dr Anil Kapur will take over the position as Managing Director of the Foundation (March 2006)
Information on WDF projects, diabetes consequenses, and a focus ion diabetes in Africa (March 2006)
The first of a series of global initiatives bringing together international experts, this time focusing on Asia (March 2006)
Fundraising opens a diabetes clinic and an educational program in Mongolia
At the Novo Nordisk International Meeting 2006 money for diabetes clinics in Cape Town was collected (March 2006)
7 year old Anita was carried by her father to the diabetes clinic in Kabul, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (December 2005)
A workshop passing on valuable lessons about the collection of diabetes data, was held in Yaounde, Cameroon (November 2005)
Nine dollars a month amounts to something, our story from El Salvador shows (November 2005)
Executive chairs, desks and other office furniture have been sold on auction to help children with diabetes (November 2005)
Life with diabetes is disclosed in a book produced by the medical company Novo Nordisk (Sept. 2005)
On the new WDF focus area, which will lead to more support towards efforts in primary prevention (Sept. 2005)
Impressions from poor parts of Argentina made American Laura fundraise for WDF by running a marathon (Sept. 2005)
Communication is one of the important weapons in the fight against gestational diabetes mellitus in India (Sept. 2005)
Photos taken for WDF by Photographer Jesper Westley, travel the world (August 2005)
A diabetes center has been established in East-Jerusalem in cooperation with “DanChurchAid” (June 2005)
In the Cuban case the government has been unable to complete the program because of a lack of material resources (June 2005)
An obesity clinic in Cameroon has been set up with the help of staffs of Novo Nordisk France and local support (June 2005)
Background on the Cameroon Burden of Diabetes Project (June 2005)
In this project WDF made an extraordinary exception from the rule not to donate insulin (June 2005)
They are the first of their kind in Afghanistan (June 2005)
The sales of cookbooks in Novo Nordisk support a WDF diabetes project in Vietnam (April 2005)
WDF involved in a global media campaign (March 2005)
Impressions from a monitoring visit (March 2005)
Fundraising for years aims to set up five clinics (March 2005)
Results from the World Diabetes Day activity November 2004 (March 2005)
Fundraising activity in the Philippines (March 2005)
Fundraising activity for Uzbekistan (March 2005)
Fundraisning for Afghanistan (February 2005)
Fundraising for 60 children with diabetes (February 2005)
Screening for retinopathy in India (January 2005)
Interview with Leif Fenger Jensen on a fundraising project in Erdernet (December 2004)
On RAPIA, a rapid assessment protocol for insulin access (December 2004)
A Global Diabetes Walk is arranged by the World Diabetes Foundation (November 2004)
This page was last updated 12-30-2011 by bisl.wdf |
/Tanzania_ventetid_146p.jpg)
