Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in Uzbekistan. Due to a profound lack of resources, technology, knowledge and information, many people with diabetes are not able to achieve optimal control of their disease. This has lead to a rapid increase in incidence of diabetes-related complications.As part of the WDF-supported project WDF04-095, diabetes schools have been established in all regions of Uzbekistan, providing diabetes information and care to its users. A registry has been developed and according to this registry more than 70% of children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are in a state of chronic hyperglycaemia. This is a consequence of the lack of knowledge about the disease and importance of imparting self-management skills to the children and their parents mainly driven by inadequate knowledge and skills amongst the health care professionals themselves.The aim of the project is to improve the standards of care and self-management of children with type 1 diabetes in fourteen regions of Uzbekistan.
The project is coordinated by the Endocrinological and Diabetological Association of Uzbekistan (EDAU). It is a continuation of project WDF04-095 which aimed at raising the knowledge level of the general population by establishing 14 diabetes information centres at regional clinics within the public health system. This current project wishes to strengthen these centres by providing IEC materials and training health care professionals to improve the care and self management skills of children with T1D and their parents. Initially, two specialists from EDAU will be trained by the Russian Diabetes Association to gain the necessary expertise to oversee the project. Afterwards, EDAU and the Ministry of Health (MoH) will draw up an order on the improvement of endocrine paediatric services which will be based on an assessment of the service needs of children with T1D. 30 chief paediatric endocrinologists working at the diabetes schools will be trained to comply with new standards for children’s care. 350 paediatricians and endocrinologists will be trained in diagnosis and treatment, while 140 nurses from district polyclinics and endocrinologic dispensaries will be trained on how to educate children and parents in self management. A mobile clinic will be established with the purpose of carrying out screening of diabetes and complications and registration in the less accessible areas. The mobile diabetes team will consist of four doctors and four nurses. To create awareness among the general population a comprehensive information campaign will be launched including TV talk shows, TV spots featuring professionals or children telling their stories, and magazine articles. IEC materials will be produced to guide health professionals, children, parents and the general population. Lastly, a massive Health Festival will be carried out, covering the 14 regions of the intervention area. EDAU will be responsible for the capacity building component of the project while the Ministry of Health (MoH) will be running the diabetes schools and care facilities. The regional centres are fully integrated into the public health care system and the MoH is committed to sustain the diabetes schools and the mobile screening clinic after project completion.
• 2 specialists have been trained at the Russian Diabetes Association.• New standards for paediatric endocrine services have been drawn up and approved by the MoH.• 28 diabetes schools in regional centres have been strengthened.• 16 diabetes educators have been trained in diabetes education of children with diabetes and their parents.• 30 endocrinologists have been trained.• 350 paediatricians and endocrinologists trained in diabetes diagnosis and care and screening for complications• 210 nurses trained in providing instructions on self-management skills• 1,641 children and 868 teenagers are educated at diabetes schools.• 2,274 children, teenagers and young adults with type 1 diabetes screened for diabetes complications.• Various training, education and awareness material has been produced in Uzbek and Russian.