Poor people belonging to tribal communities, and living at 82 local councils at 19 wards in Aizawl Municipal Council area, are the target group of this WDF funded project. These people live in urban-slum areas and are very under-privileged. They are among the high risk groups for developing diabetes, due to their urban lifestyle.Because of the low degree of awareness regarding diabetes, these people face huge diabetes complications.By using video shows, drama and folk song events for awareness and education camps, it is estimated that this project can reach a wide group of people and help those most in need. ObjectivesTo promote diabetes prevention and awareness, in marginalised urban areas inhabited by indigenous peoples, through grassroots initiatives. This will reduce the risk of diabetes, development of complications and remove a huge physical and financial burden from the families and individuals affected.
In order to conduct the different screening and prevention camps a variety of materials are produced. This includes preparation of health promotion, awareness and education material and selection of trainees (local HCPs of various categories) and of camp venues. Once the local HCPs are selected the training will be done during three-day sessions. Besides HCPs, a group of volunteers will also be educated, in order to aid the many people targeted in the region. When the training is done the implementation of awareness and education camps will start, co-organised with local physicians and trained HCPs/volunteers. The camps will be one-day events held frequently (three camps pr. week on average) at small scale across the urban areas targeted. People at risk for further development will be identified and guided to seek screening and basic care at local urban health centres and hospitals (consultation fees of maximum 0.15 USD/10 INR). The project will also roll-out larger scale public awareness events, in order to reach a bigger proportion of the targeted population. Creating awareness at the early stages of diabetes development and referring people, who are at risk of developing diabetes, to nearby clinics.
• 300 awareness and education camps conducted• 45,447 people participated in camps• 7396 people were identified and were guided to seek screening • 100 doctors and health providers trained in diabetes • World Diabetes Walk was organized 2 times in 2 years.