Regional diabetes centres, Cuba

Objectives

Cuba has around 300,000 people with diabetes. Diabetes is the 7th most common cause of death in the country. Cuba's national diabetes programme includes three levels: the level of the family doctor, the level of hospitals and Educational and Medical Care Centres for Diabetics and the level of the National Institute of Endocrinology, a national reference centre for the centres.

Educational and Medical Care Centres for Diabetics (CEADs) have been established in 6 provinces, but the remaining nine provinces are uncovered. These include Granma, Las Tunas, Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spriritus, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Habana and the municipality of Isla de la Juventud.

The project aims to improve diabetes care in Cuba by completing the national network of Educational and Medical Care Centres for Diabetics (CEADs).

Approach

This project is a collaboration among three partners: the National Institute of Endocrinology in Cuba, Spain's Fundacion para la Diabetes and the World Diabetes Foundation. The project seeks to complete the national network of the CEADs, including modernising the national reference centre at the National Institute of Endocrinology. Four CEADs will be established during the first year, four during the second year and two during the third and last year.

A project medical team will consist of:
• 20 endocrinologists
• 20 other medical specialists
• 20 nurses
• 10 podiatrists
• 10 dieticians
• 20 educators
• 10 psychologists

The Cuban Ministry of Health provides this team. It will be supported at the community level by **600 doctors trained in diabetes**.

Results at completion

• Ten provincial diabetes centres have been established, and more than 400 healthcare professionals have been trained
• More than 250,000 people with diabetes have accessed the centres and obtained improved diabetes care and education
• More than 100,000 people have been reached through community activities on diabetes prevention and care, carried out by trained healthcare professionals