Q2-05
	So, what's the diagnosis? The World Diabetes Foundation supports projects in more than 60 countries in the developing world, and we realise that no country is similar to another. The project portfolios reflect these differences. In the kingdom of Bhutan health care is free but the lack of knowledge about diabetes treatment must be supported. In Cuba on the other hand, the educational level of the health care professionals is renowned world wide, but they in many cases need basic materiel like needles, blood measuring strips and even mattresses for the hospital beds. In both cases the World Diabetes has been able to help optimising the facilities so people with diabetes in the foreseeable future can be offered the best treatment available. No doubt, if you have a patient, finding the diagnosis makes it much easier to give the right treatment. Recognising the local problems allows focusing on the right solutions. This was the case in Cameroon, where a baseline survey determined that the main risk factor for developing diabetes was obesity. “With the facts on the table it has been no problem convincing the government to initiate a National Diabetes Program” says project responsible Prof. Jean-Claude Mbanya. World Diabetes Day preparations have started We are already preparing for World Diabetes Day, which is held each year at 14 November. This year both eyes and feet can be activated in the attempt to bring awareness on diabetes to the people. An exhibition of our finest photos from a variety of project areas will be shown at conferences and meetings throughout 2005. Danish photographer Jesper Westley has for years captured the essence of life with diabetes with deep respect for all those, both patients and dedicated health care professionals, depicted in his artwork. For a more physical approach it is possible to join the Global Diabetes Walk. Please visit our Global Diabetes Walk 2005 website at www.gwlk.info to get the feet moving. If you want to let some money move, why not start a fundraising activity on the World Diabetes Day? On our website you can read about previous fundraising projects and their outcome.
	A lot of expertise but a lack of remedies at Cuban hospitals While other projects supported by WDF aim to lay a foundation for national diabetes programs, Cuba already has one. In the Cuban case the government has been unable to complete the program because of a lack of material resources. Read more
	Breaking down the wall to diabetes care in the West Bank Before 2003, Palestinian diabetes care was characterised by an overemphasis on medication and lacking attention on prevention. The WDF project “Diabetes prevention and nutrition program” in the West Bank seeks to incorporate nutrition counselling and behaviour change into the medical treatment. A Diabetes Center has been established at the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East-Jerusalem, and the project is carried out in a powerful cooperation with the project partner “DanChurchAid”. Read more
D.R. Congo	Emergency insulin for people with diabetes in D.R. Congo Even if it seems irrational, the World Diabetes Foundation has good reasons for not supplying insulin to people with diabetes in the developing world. But sometimes you need to make an exception. Read more
	Cameroon clinic addresses obesity problem An obesity clinic in Cameroon has been set up with the help of more than 5,000 USD collected by staffs of Novo Nordisk France. Most importantly local support in the form of buildings and staff from the Central Hospital has given substance to the clinic. Read more Survey paves the way for national diabetes program Background on the Cameroon Burden of Diabetes Project Read more
Kabul, May 2005	Three diabetes centres in Afghanistan opened Three diabetes centres at the Ibn Sina Hospital, the Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital and the Wazir Akbar Khan, all situated in the Afghanistan capital Kabul, were inaugurated April 2005. They are the first of their kind in Afghanistan. Read more