Control of Diabetic Retinopathy in Sudan

Objectives

Sudan is experiencing a rapid increase in NCDs in general and in diabetes in particular. It is estimated that 9% of the adult population has diabetes, corresponding to more than 2 million people. Due to late detection of the disease, followed by poor glycaemic control the risk of diabetes eye complications is high. However, the capacity to detect and manage diabetes eye care in the country is low. Thus, to improve the outcomes for persons affected with diabetic retinopathy the project will focus on training and capacity building of health care providers.

Objectives

To raise awareness among the public about the impact of diabetes on the eye.
To provide training of primary care physicians on prevention of diabetic retinopathy and of eye specialist on laser treatment
To establish screening program of diabetic retinopathy
To prevent blindness due to diabetic retinopathy by improving access of laser treatment.

Approach

The project will build on the diabetes mini clinics established at primary level health centres across Sudan through the project WDF12-726. The primary doctors working at the clinics will be trained to detect diabetic retinopathy through ophthalmoscopes and will conduct simple DR screenings on registered patients. People identified at risk of DR will be referred to nearest diabetes centre for fundus camera examinations.

Ophthalmologists at public eye hospitals will be trained to treat diabetic retinopathy with laser treatment through a comprehensive training programme and hospitals to be equipped with fundus camera and laser.

Finally, a two-way referral system between DMCs, diabetes centres and eye hospitals will be implemented to ensure that DMCs and diabetes centres are notified, when patients are referred back following DR treatment.

Results at completion

124 physicians from 96 DMC’s trained in screening for DR
33 ophthalmologists trained in screening and treatment of DR
3 diabetes centres and 3 public eye hospitals equipped with fundus cameras
57 clinics strengthened to provide diabetes eye care
10,002 diabetes patients screened for DR
1,001 patients with DR treated with laser
300,000 people reached by awareness campaign