Diabetes and hypertension education, prevention and management, Gambia

Objectives

Gambia ranks 175/188 on UNDP Human Development Index and is hence among the least developed countries worldwide. Diabetes and hypertension are increasingly becoming a serious global public health concern, particularly in the developing countries including The Gambia. In The Gambia, according to Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Country Profiles 2014, NCDs (incl. hypertension and diabetes) are estimated to account for 32% of total deaths and the public health system is not geared towards the prevention and management of NCDs.

Objectives
The aim of the project is to strengthen diabetes and hypertension care and awareness in Gambia through implementation of the national Non Communicable Diseases strategy

Approach

The project targets the densely populated areas in Western Gambia with a minor part of the interior also to be targeted; More than half of the total population of Gambia resides in these areas.

To improve the quality of diabetes care, selected facilities located across targeted regions will be strengthened through provision of basic equipment, improved patient record systems and enhanced capacity of health care professionals.

To strengthen the capacity of health care providers, doctors, nurses and community health workers from selected facilities and communities will be trained in management of diabetes and hypertension.

In order to increase awareness of diabetes and hypertension, communities and civil society groups (incl women groups) will be mobilised through a range of sensitisation, awareness and screening activities, incl. dialogue sessions, distribution of information material, radio/tv transmissions, press briefings/involvement of media, and through World Diabetes Day.

As the project is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, public health officers from the targeted regions to be trained in monitoring and coordination of NCD care and prevention with focus on primary/community level.

Monitoring and evaluation will be conducted through repeated on-site visits to health facilities and communities. The monitoring of results will be based on the improved data collection based on new patient registries, and through stakeholder meetings.

Results at completion

24 doctors and 66 nurses trained on diabetes and hypertension treatment and management
180 Community Health Nurses (CHN) and Village Health Workers (VHW) trained on primary prevention and care of diabetes and hypertension
16 health facilities strengthened
90 Public Health Officers trained on prevention and care of diabetes and hypertension
10,344 diabetes and hypertension patients treated at strengthened clinics
885,000 people reached through awareness activities
4,420 people screened for diabetes and hypertension at community level