"Décentralisation de la prévention et de la prise en charge du Diabète au Sénégal

Objectives

- Develop a training strategy for health care professionals (HCPs) for the management of diabetes and hypertension
- Increase the supply of primary health care services providing diabetes and hypertension care in the provinces of Kolda and Tambacounda
- Strengthen the prevention of diabetes in the community through the involvement of community health workers (CHWs)
- Strengthen governance, leadership and monitoring capacity on diabetes

Approach

This Ministry of Health (MoH)-led project seeks to expand and refine decentralisation of diabetes service delivery in two remote provinces of Senegal that are not yet covered by ongoing interventions. The project will build on an approach adopted by the MoH in other provinces, i.e. establishing diabetes reference centres in regional hospitals and diabetes and hypertension clinics at primary level.

The project will start by establishing a reference framework for training content, diabetes management protocols, IEC and data collection tools that will serve for all diabetes-related interventions in the country. This project contains promising digital health components such as the use of the Ministry’s e-learning platforms and the development of an app with care protocols for HCPs.

The approach will also provide medical equipment to health facilities to facilitate access to screening and diabetes and hypertension management services. A series of training sessions for HCPs, CHWs and members of the Senegalese Diabetes Association will be provided to strengthen their capacities in the prevention and holistic management of issues related to diabetes, including HIP and associated risk factors.

Trained CHWs will engage with the communities through interactive group discussions, and ‘community houses’ promoting healthy lifestyles will be established. Parent associations and journalists will be sensitised about NCD risk factors and the general population will be provided with information through radio programmes.

Expected results

- 6 secondary and 120 primary health facilities strengthened
- 380 HCPs trained in diabetes care and data management (40 doctors, 220 nurses/midwives and 120 CHWs)
- 220,285 persons screened for diabetes and hypertension
- 7,490 persons diagnosed with diabetes
- 5,992 patients treated; estimated 80% of patients within agreed target for glucose control
- 3,433 women diagnosed with HIP; 2,746 women treated
- 8 ‘community houses’ promoting healthy lifestyles created
- 1,200 focus group discussions led by CHWs on risk factors
- 100 school children’s parents and 60 journalists sensitised.
- Standard clinical guidelines and treatment protocols for diabetes harmonised and adopted nationally