To strengthen the quality of health care through the integration of diabetes management and other NCDs in primary health care settings in the region of the Americas, with a focus on Belize and Panama.
The proposed project aims to enhance the quality of diabetes care in Belize and Panama, addressing key challenges in managing diabetes and NCDs within these countries. This project builds on the achievements of a previous WDF-funded project in Belize (WDF17-1485) and is embedded within PAHO´s “Better Care for NCDs initiative” to strengthen primary care services for NCDs. The following key tracks and activities are proposed:1. Primary Care Enhancement : develop and implement evidence-based clinical pathways to standardise diabetes and related NCD care, adapt the WHO EURO guideline "Therapeutic education of the patient: an introductory guide" (TPE) for regional and national contexts and procure essential clinic equipment.2. Capacity building for healthcare providers (HCPs): deliver both in-person and virtual training for HCPs based on the HEARTS-D module on diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes, HIP and self-management education and support. Developing replicable solutions for other regional countries through virtual training courses in English and Spanish on the PAHO virtual campus to expand primary care capacity and high-quality NCD care delivery across the region.3. Community outreach and awareness: train community health workers to conduct outreach sessions and deliver educational materials on diabetes and NCDs to promote self-care and empower communities. Carry out public awareness campaigns to support self-care, and reduce stigma and discrimination related to diabetes.4. Advocacy activities: a) Development of case studies from both countries at the end of the project to showcase and learn from national implementation processes and disseminate findings at national and regional levels.b) Establish a multisectoral committee in each country to strengthen governance, policy dialogue, impact, and sustainability of project results.
- 67 primary healthcare centres (PHCs), 46 across 6 districts in Belize and 21 PHCs in Panama´s Chiriqui province strengthened to deliver high-quality diabetes services.- 450,000 reached in Belize and Panama through established PHCs.- at least 36,500 HCPs in the Latin America region trained to deliver high-quality of care services. In Belize and Panama, HCPs in targeted facilities to receive both in-person and virtual training while in the other countries training to be delivered virtually.- virtual courses on implementing an evidence-based, integrated people-centred diabetes care model, TPE and prevention, diagnosis and management of HIP published on PAHO virtual campus, accessible throughout Latin America.- 6,500 patients with diabetes trained in diabetes self-management skills.- 8,000 patients with diabetes provided with quality care.- 4,000 pregnant women trained on maintaining a healthy pregnancy.- 12 advocacy meetings conducted with the MoHs and other key stakeholders in Belize and Panama.