The project aims to build capacity and create awareness regarding diabetes and other non-communicable diseases with a view to reduce risk factors by promotion of healthy lifestyles.
Expected Impact
45,000 people with diabetes will have access to improved diabetes care in Colombo
500,000 people exposed to healthy living campaign
Nationwide healthy living campaigns in national newspapers
Results to date as of February 2006
Assessment of current health care practices has been performed
Two workshops and a symposium were held, with the participation of 210 doctors and nurses
In the first step of developing a disease registry, 60 computers have been donated to the project
Development and distribution of health care information material in cooperation with local newspaper
Development of guidelines for use in the Colombo South Teaching Hospital diabetes clinic
Project details
Diabetes affects 10-14% of the population of Sri Lanka. Less than half will know that they have diabetes and half of those who know they have it attend a diabetes clinic regularly.
Late diagnosis of diabetes is frequent in Sri Lanka, with many people suffering from visual problems, renal failure or neuropathy already at the time of diagnosis.
This contributes significantly to hospital costs and it confirms the need for building the capacity for primary prevention screening and early diagnosis of diabetes.
Approach
The Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Trust, the University of Sri Jayawardenapura and the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka and Kings Mill Hospital, Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Trust in the United Kingdom have joined forces to collaborate in this project.
Following a baseline survey of prevalence of diabetes and risk factors as well as an assessment of existing health care capacity, the project will focus on:
Building capacity for early detection and good control of diabetes
A lifestyle modification campaign
For the capacity building component, the project plans to establish a model diabetes clinic at Colombo South Teaching Hospital in the capital of Sri Lanka. This clinic will develop and deliver acceptable standards of care and it is expected that over time, this model will be applied and implemented in other cities in Sri Lanka.
Training workshops as well as hands on training in the model clinic will be conducted for doctors and nurses from all over the country.
A patient education programme will be developed and implemented in Singhalese, Tamil and English.
Concerning the lifestyle modification campaign, the project intends to implement this task in collaboration with social service and local government organisations and the local branch of the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka.
The campaign will include advertisements on radio and television, posters, seminars and school competitions. Advocacy meetings will be held with local opinion leaders from school authorities, health authorities, industry and the mayor and council.
