Diabetes in Palestine is relatively high, between 7 and 10% of the population.Recent studies also indicate that obesity is a severe problem, with up to 40% of the women and 20% of the men in the age group 30-55 years being obese. These people are at high risk of developing diabetes. An over-emphasis on medication and inadequate attention to prevention characterise Palestinian diabetes care.This project addresses this problem by incorporating nutrition counselling and behaviour change into treating people with diabetes and high-risk groups.The project aimed at promoting access to prevention and quality diabetes care in the West Bank
The project is a collaboration between the Augusta Victoria Hospital, Jerusalem and DanChurchAid.A central element of the project will be establishing a diabetes centre at the Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem. The centre will serve as a resource centre for diabetes education related to both medical professionals and people with diabetes and their relatives.The project operates with 2 teams in the areas of:• health education and promotion• health care deliveryThe education team will conduct community training at schools for students and teachers as well as medical education for doctors and nurses.The community education programme will focus on risk factors and lifestyle adjustments that may prevent diabetes.The medical education programme emphasises diabetes care and management, treatment of diabetes-related complications and lifestyle and nutrition counselling.The health delivery team will implement diabetes care and nutrition counselling clinics for diabetes and obese patients in the hospital.
• 647 people with diabetes have been registered and assessed at the Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH)• 262 primary care physicians and 168 nurses have received training in the areas of diabetes prevention, care and nutrition• 1,255 students at 23 schools have been trained and are aware of behavior that may prevent them from acquiring diabetes• 159 teachers have been trained and know how to teach nutrition and health behaviours that may prevent diabetes• 585 diabetes relatives have been trained and are changing dietary habits• 629 obese people at high risk of diabetes have received nutrition counselling to promote a healthier less risky lifestyle