In India, more than 60 million people between the ages of 20 and 79 have diabetes. This number continues to increase having a devastating impact both on an individual and a societal level. In spite of diabetes being a huge problem, awareness about causes and complications is alarmingly low.The target population of this project consist of socioeconomically disadvantaged people residing mainly in rural areas of Chandel district, Manipur. More than 65% of this population live below the poverty line. The health care system in the area is in shambles, with only few and ill-equipped health facilities in the district. Only the district hospital has the capacity to do diabetes check-ups, and they cannot cater for all. Thus, the population of Chandel has virtually no access to diabetes care.The applicant of this project, Anallon Christian Development Committee (ACDC), has conducted a household survey among the target population revealing that a high proportion of the respondents have diabetes, and an alarmingly 80% have no knowledge about causes and the seriousness of the disease. Thus, people delay seeking care until very severe complications occur, which contributes to very high complication and fatality rates. In spite of these facts, no initiatives, either governmental or non-governmental, have been made in Chandal district, and there is an urgent need to increase access to diabetes care in the area.The aim of this project is to improve access to prevention and care for diabetes for the poor rural population of Chandel district in Manipur, India, focusing in particular on diabetic foot and GDM.
This project is initiated by ACDC. The NGO Kankhu Ecology and Rural Development Authority (KEARDA) will provide technical manpower for project implementation, while the Chandel District Hospital will provide technical support.Four diabetes clinics will be established with the technical aid of the district hospital. Each clinic will be equipped and managed by two permanent health staff and a part time doctor, who will attend the clinic twice a week. The clinic itself will be open five days a week.To increase access to quality diabetes care services, the project will provide capacity-building to grass-root level health workers on diabetes management, with a particular focus on diabetic foot and GDM care.The project seeks to create awareness among the rural, lower socioeconomic segments of the population by conducting monthly community awareness and screening camps. Each of the 200 villages in the target area will have three camps in their community during the three-year project period. The camps are intended to disseminate information about the causes and potential consequences of diabetes, focusing on foot complications and GDM. The camps will be held by a team of trained health workers, incl. government staff, and will include different activities ranging from group discussions to drama and quizzes etc. Screening of diabetes and complications will be provided free of charge to high risk groups.
• 4 diabetes clinics established• 8,036 patients treated through the established clinics• 45 nurses, 155 paramedical staff and 200 community health workers trained• 400 awareness and screening camps conducted• 40,405 people reached through awareness. 19,927 people screened; 77 people screened for diabetes foot; 84 women screened for GDM