Diabetes and hypertension

Objectives

Diabetes and non-infectious diseases, in general, are becoming increasingly important as causes of mortality and morbidity in low-income countries.

The project aims to decrease the burden of non-communicable diseases in Dar es Salaam. Work from Tanzania has shown worrying stroke rates, and the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes is increasing, particularly in the urban areas.

Approach

The project focuses on the Temeke municipality - one of three municipalities in Dar es Salaam. The project seeks to build the capacity to collect relevant information for optimal planning in the context of limited resources in the public healthcare sector. A monitoring and surveillance system will be established to provide ongoing information on the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension to allow for continuous adjustment in planning by the authorities. The project will improve healthcare delivery at the public healthcare system's primary, secondary and tertiary levels through training and implementation of appropriate management guidelines and strategies.

In the municipality, two specialised clinics for diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors will be established: 1 at the Temeke Hospital and one at the more frequently used Temeke Health Centre. Doctors and nurses for the clinics will receive training.

As the clinics are established, a prevention programme will be developed and implemented at the community level. The prevention programme seeks to raise awareness and thus lead to detection at an earlier stage of diabetic and hypertensive cases. It also aims to reduce risk factors for diabetes and hypertension in the community. The project is closely coordinated with the "Diabetes Clinics, Tanzania" project as well as with the strategy of the Tanzanian Diabetes Association.
Depending on the project results, the project activities may be replicated in the remaining two municipalities of Dar es Salaam.

Results at completion

• A surveillance and monitoring system for non-communicable diseases in Temeke municipality, replicable to other municipalities in Dar es Salaam, has been established
• Two specialised diabetes clinics established in Temeke municipality and operational
• Early detection of diabetes and hypertension resulting from the implementation of a prevention programme has been rolled out