According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) the 2011 national diabetes prevalence in Congo is 4.69 % but according to a more recent national survey the prevalence has reached 7-8 %, of which 85 % has type 2 diabetes and 15 % has type 1 diabetes. There is currently an on-going national program for diabetes but at provincial level there is no coordination of diabetes related health care. There is also a significant lack of trained health professionals at the health care centres. In Bukavu district only 11 of the 31 health centres is concerned about treatment of diabetes. A major problem is the lack of information on diabetes available for both medical staff and the general population. The goal is to raise the awareness of the political and administrative authorities and the population of non-communicable diseases, specifically diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
To raise the awareness of the general population an image-box for sensitisation of diabetes will be developed as part of the project. The box will contain information on diabetes, treatment and preventive behaviour. Posters with educational images and messages will be developed and made available to the health centres of Bukavu district. Each of the 31 health centres in Bukavu district will also be equipped with a diabetes screening kit. The kit will enable health care professionals to screen and monitor blood glucose of persons who have been sensitised. If a large amount of people is detected with diabetes by the end of the project it is considered to establish a specialist centre for diabetes care in the province of Congo. To raise the awareness of the health care professionals two training session on diabetes lasting three days each will be organised for medical staff from the health centres. More than one person from each centre should participate to ensure sustainability. Another two training session lasting two days will be held for the Health and Development Committee member with focus on diabetes, treatment and community-based mobilisation techniques. Posters and image-boxes will also be distributed to committee members to be used in educational activities to ensure sustainability and dissemination of information on diabetes in the wider community. Finally a one day training session will be held to exchange information on diabetes related issues experienced in Bukavu district. This will bring together religious leaders, women leaders, civil-society leaders, and educational leaders etc. to discuss issues of diabetes and identify a course of action.
• 34 health centres supplied with a blood glucose meter and 50 test strips• 12 doctors from six hospitals trained • 64 staff members from 34 health centres trained• 68 Codesa members from 34 health areas and 60 leaders from the Bukavu Health District trained• 38 paramedics, 68 educators and 76 leaders trained • Each health centre received information posters and two glucose meters