Diabetes is a growing health problem in Sudan. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that the diabetes prevalence in Sudan is 8.7% (IDF, 2011). However, healthcare resources for diabetes care are limited because the system is geared towards the care of acute illnesses. Additionally, there are a limited number of trained paramedics and diabetes educators in both the public and private healthcare systems in Sudan. Many people in rural and remote areas with diabetes are diagnosed by non-specialist doctors who are often ill-trained to handle diabetes-related issues, or unable to devote adequate time to provide quality care to people with diabetes. Apparently, there are currently only ten qualified diabetes educators in Sudan.The Federal Ministry of Health in Khartoum, Sudan has endorsed a 5-year strategic plan to improve the existing health delivery system in Sudan including addressing the burden of diabetes and other NCDs. Previous projects, WDF03-061, WDF06-181, 06-164, and 08-369, have helped build diabetes care capacity to help the Ministry fulfil its plans.The aim of this project is to improve the access to quality care in Sudan by training health professionals in diabetes education and management to lead mini diabetes clinics in Sudan.
The project will be carried out by Diabetes Programs Promotion Organization (DPPO), a non-profit organization, in collaboration with the University of Ahfad and the Federal Ministry of Health. This project will be implemented in four phases: Educating and training diabetes educators, employment of educators at diabetes mini clinics (DMC), strengthening and establishing 100 DMCs, and diabetes awareness.A one-year postgraduate course in diabetes education will be provided for 100 healthcare professionals. The course will consist of a three-month intensive training at the University of Ahfad that includes lectures, workshops, student presentations, and clinical work. The curriculum of the course is based on the “International Curriculum for Diabetes Health Professional Education” designed by the IDF. Upon successful completion and examination of the postgraduate course, students will be granted a diploma in diabetes education. The course has been approved by the scientific board of the University of Ahfad, and accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education.Following the course, diabetes educators will complete a nine month internship at DMCs, and sign contracts to work at the DMC for three years after completing the training program. In addition, the diabetes educators will be the focal point of the Diabetes Association and act as diabetes coordinators for the district health authority. The DMCs will be integrated into the existing health care system. The key feature of the DMCs will be self-management and care training delivered by well-informed diabetes educators and medical practitioners.Each DMC will dedicate at least one day per year for community diabetes screening and awareness.
· 97 health professionals have obtained accredited diabetes education· 96 diabetes mini clinics strengthened or established across 15 states· 19,250 people with diabetes registered and treated at the clinics· 21,445 people screened for diabetes· 61,257 people reached through awareness and primary prevention activities