Objectives

To pilot a comprehensive and innovative village health care model for reduction of diabetes and NCDs in two rural districts

Approach

The target areas of the Latur and Osmanabad districts of Maharashtra state of India has approximately 32% of the population living below the poverty line, and the majority lack knowledge and awareness on risk factors, primary and secondary prevention of diabetes, hypertension, and CVDs.

People will be screened and diagnosed patients will be trained in management for control of diabetes and hypertension by using pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological approaches. The main components of the projects are:

• Information on healthy lifestyle
• Treatment and control of diabetes and hypertension through a system developed to provide access to doctors, dieticians, healthcare workers through Mobile Hypertension and Diabetes Clinics in a specially designed van.
• At the baseline screening, all individuals will get a social and clinical evaluation and all individuals diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension will be provided access to start treatment and continuity of care to that area which is selected for intervention.
• Volunteers, social and political leaders incl. some teachers and students will be involved to increase awareness about the disease, avoidable complications etc. Local doctors and healthcare providers will be empowered with knowledge of recent guidelines on diagnosis and management of diabetes and hypertension.

The project will be implemented in close liaison with recommendations by international societies (The Lancet Commission on Hypertension group and CDC-WHO). RHPT will promote and implement the Principles of Chronic Care (CDC-WHO) and “Key actions towards essential goals to improve management of BP at population and individual level” (Lancet).

Expected results

• Increased awareness of diabetes and hypertension in approximately 100 villages
• Improved compliance towards treatment of diabetes and hypertension
• Reduction in morbidity and mortality over the long term in the targeted villages
• System development for supply chain management of medicines for patients in villages
• Increased acceptance of non-pharmacological treatment options for diabetes and hypertension, prevention and control
• Development of an economic model suitable for management of diabetes, hypertension and CVDs for low-income countries
• Acceptance and implementation of similar approaches elsewhere in India and other countries
• Development of evidence-based management strategy
• Integrated technology for best management of diabetes and hypertension