There is a variation in the official estimates on the number and percentage diabetics living in Afghanistan. However, estimates from the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) claim that 6.6% of the population has diabetes, but the older generation is much more at risk of developing diabetes. It is estimated by IDF that the diabetes prevalence will triple by 2030. The MoPH estimates a higher percentage than IDF and estimates that 8.2% of the population may develop diabetes. Moreover, 7.6% of the population is in the group Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) who is in high risk of developing diabetes. Objectives• To strengthen the capacity on Diabetes among health care personel • To strengthen technical resources and equipment at the Diabetes Centre at the Regional Hospital in Herat City• To create digitalised patient registration system• To raise awareness on Type 2 diabetes and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among the general population of Herat City
Project activities include:• Capacity building of local health care providers; trainers of trainers to be trained in nearby city of Mashhad in Iran through a two months course to ensure appropriate training quality; • Capacity building of local medical assistants from all districts in the Province of Herat; Development of local training material by trainers of trainers• Strengthening of Diabetes Centre at the regional hospital in Herat City → develop the centre as a leading center for diabetes in West region of Afghanistan.• Screenings of at risk patients at regional hospital and local health facilities including health education, potential insulin therapy and referral of complicated cases to Mashhad.• Establishment of an electronic patient registration system with various clinical indicators to enhance management and follow-up of patients diagnosed with diabetes as well as to provide an estimate of diabetes prevalence in the Western region of Afghanistan. • Roll out of awareness campaign on diabetes with focus on T2DM and GDM through tv, social media and leaflets distributed at diabetes centre, rural health facilities and mosques.
• Estimated 300,000 people reached with awareness raising campaigns• Training materials and curriculum for local training in Herat developed• 4 doctors and 4 nurses trained in diabetes detection, care and management; to act as trainers of trainers• 179 medical assistants trained in general knowledge about diabetes• 27,656 people screened for diabetes• 3,697 people detected and registered with diabetes (incl. clinical indicators) at the Diabetes Centre