Q2-11

The new WDF Code of Conduct

Last year, the WDF revised its Code of Conduct. While our mandate remained the same the board of directors felt that the time was right to revisit our founding principles and align the wording of the Code of Conduct with current practices. A major change is a very clear articulation of a zero tolerance to fraud and bribery (§9). One of the consequences of this amendment has been a revision in our approach to audits of WDF funded projects - leading to the establishment of a framework collaboration with PwC. In this Newsletter, we visit this new framework and showcase a few examples of how we have dealt with fraud and reputational issues. Investigating allegations of fraud are costly and painful for both the WDF Secretariat and the partners, nonetheless, it is important that all such allegations be investigated quickly and professionally to ensure credibility and reputation of all concerned.

Coming up in September, the UN NCD Summit in New York will hopefully cement the need for global action on NCDs. In this Newsletter we report from field visits to some of the WDF-supported projects in Mexico, the Pacific Islands and Cambodia. In these places we are witnessing an alarming rise in rates of diabetes and other chronic non-communicable diseases. In Mexico, the diabetes prevalence is 14%; in Tonga it is as high as 18%. By providing funding for grass root programs WDF supports development of local and regional initiatives to explore strategies for the early detection, prevention and integrated management of diabetes and other chronic non-communicable diseases and strengthen health systems to tackle the problem.

While not amongst the top countries most burdened by diabetes or NCDs, Cambodia experiences a higher prevalence of diabetes than one might expect given the high rates of malnutrition, stunting and underweight and the low rates of overweight and obesity in the country. We have previously reported about the important work of community agents in terms of improving people's ability for diabetes self care. In Cambodia, we visit a project where the local school teacher has successfully been trained in diabetes management to help people in her community.

The first half of 2011 has been busy as usual with the Secretariat visiting many projects and hosting and participating in several advocacy forums. I would like to briefly touch upon two important developments: A couple of years ago WDF supported the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUALTD) and the WHO Stop TB Department to embark on systematically investigating the links between diabetes and TB. That initiative has now culminated in the WHO-IUATLD Collaborative Framework For Care and Control of Tuberculosis and Diabetes. Already, pilot testing of the framework has been initiated in China and will start in India later in October.

Another development is the agreement between the WDF and the Education Section of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics to organise six regional workshops on the links between diabetes and related NCDs and maternal and child health. The first of these workshops will take place in Bangkok in November 2011.

The second half of 2011 is likely to be even more busy and exciting for WDF. The Global Diabetes Walk will be launched by the end of August making use of a new social media platform in an effort to further enhance global awareness on diabetes on the World Diabetes Day.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back WDF Programme Coordinator Ms Astrid Hasselbalch returning after her maternity leave.

Wishing you the best of the remaining summer and I hope you enjoy reading the newsletter.

Dr Anil Kapur

Managing Director

World Diabetes Foundation

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 benefit from improved auditing tools.

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Diabetes - the number one killer in Mexico

Dr Anil Kapur recently visited Mexico where he 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.  

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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.

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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.

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