In the World Diabetes Atlas (fourth edition), the number of people in China living with diabetes was estimated to be 43.2 million. However, a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine (March 2010) estimates the number to be as high as 92.4 million.Among a nationally representative sample of 46,239 adults, 20 years of age or older, from 14 provinces and municipalities, the mentioned study found a 9.7% diabetes prevalence rate. The prevalence of diabetes was higher among urban residents than among rural residents.Due to factors such as rapid modernisation and urbanisation in China, the prevalence rates in mainland China are now reaching the levels of Chinese living outside of mainland China (Hong Kong and Singapore). Presently, China's overall diabetes detection and treatment capacity is limited. There is a severe shortage of medical staff qualified in diabetes.The project aims to improve the capacity to prevent, detect and treat diabetes and reduce the burden of diabetes on the Chinese society.
It is the aim to create a diabetes care system which is helpful and responsive to patient needs. It is hoped that a comprehensive diabetes care environment will attract the participation of all stakeholders.The objectives defined in the project's five-year plan are as follows:• Develop and widely disseminate the National Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Guideline, initiated by the Ministry of Health, which established a group of experts to prepare and develop the guideline. This part of the project is run and managed by the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS), a professional body of doctors. The guideline promotion aims to standardise clinical practice in managing diabetes in different regions and levels and train clinical practitioners to become aware of the guidelines and how to apply and comply with them nationwide. Over five years, 8600 healthcare professionals - doctors and nurses from 36 cities and 300 counties will be trained to implement the guidelines.• Explore and establish a community health centre-hospital integrated Diabetes Management Model adapted to the needs of different regions of China and spread the successful experience of the pilots all over the country by creating and establishing a Diabetes Management Model for varying levels of care. This part of the project is managed by the National Centre for Chronic and Non-communicable Disease Control and Prevention in the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Ministry of Health. It will explore models of best practices to integrate hospital and community health services into one system so that continuous services related to diabetes management can be delivered to people with diabetes. This would be achieved through a comprehensive and intensive investigation into the current situation concerning international excellence and multi-site pilot studies. Starting with eight pilot sites in 8 cities, the models will be gradually tested and extended to 30 sites over five years.
• 11,128 healthcare professionals - doctors and nurses from 36 cities and 300 counties were trained to implement the National Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Guidelines.• The Diabetes Management Model for different levels of care was rolled out in 15 communities from 8 pilot cities, covering 423,000 population and managing 5,213 diabetes patients. • A total of 65,000 publicity materials on diabetes prevention and treatment were handed out with more than 10,400 persons had accepted health education through 4 years’ activities such as diabetic clubs, health lectures and large-scale social public campaigns.