Currently, 8.3% of the Indian population suffer from diabetes, which corresponds to more than 60 million people between the ages of 20 and 70. In the year 2030 that number is estimated to rise to more than 100 million.The Indian government initiated the country's first National Diabetes Control Programme on a pilot basis in two states in 1987. However, a lack of funds prolonged the expansion of the programme for almost 10 years. In July 2010, India launched a National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) to be implemented in 100 Districts across 15 States and Union Territories.In Madhya Pradesh (MP), one of the biggest Indian states, the majority of doctors and other health workers who attend to diabetes patients lack basic training in diabetes management and prevention, particularly in rural areas. Widespread myths and lack of awareness among the general population adds to the burden and contributes to high rates of, mainly preventable, complications. Due to the magnitude of the problem, it is not presently possible for the government to take on the responsibility alone.The aim of this project is to create awareness among the general population, and to build capacity for managing diabetes among health care professionals in seven districts of Madhya Pradesh, India
This project is initiated by Central India's largest institute dedicated to diabetes care: TOTALL Diabetes Hormone Institute, which consist of qualified health care professionals from the central regions of the country.Through its two main components - capacity building and awareness-raising - this project seeks to improve care and awareness in both rural and urban areas of seven districts of MP.The first component involves capacity building among primary health care doctors, private practitioners and nurses in order to create a strong workforce. A three-day training and two-day refresher course on practical diabetology, covering various aspects of preventing, diagnosing and managing diabetes will be conducted by a faculty of endocrinologists, diabetologists, diabetic foot care experts and ophthalmologists.Furthermore, 700 community health care workers (ASHA - Accredited Social Health Activists) will be trained as diabetes educators. In addition to providing a strong link between patient and doctor, they may contribute to dispel any myths and misconceptions regarding diabetes.The second component involves awareness-raising. The project envisions organising close to 300 one-day awareness camps in selected communities across the region. An exhibition bus will bring education materials which will be displayed in stalls and will disseminate IEC materials, using both print and electronic media. Furthermore, diabetes education will be carried out by the health care professionals and ASHA workers trained in the project.TOTALL attempts to carry out activities complementary to on-going activities in Madhya Pradesh, and establish sustainable partnership with local government bodies and NGOs to mobilise support and advocate for expansion of the activities, once the project period is over. The hope is that enough interest will be generated that the government will invest in larger scale activities similar to those employed by the project.
- Protocol and training materials developed and producedIEC materials developed- 329 diabetes awareness camps conducted in rural areas- 79 diabetes awareness camps conducted in urban areas- Estimated 410,000 people reached through camps- Estimated 116,232 people screened for diabetes- 443 doctors and 450 nurses trained in diabetes education- 745 Accredited Social Health Activists trained- Diabetes awareness exhibition bus created and operational