In the second half of 2024, WDF approved seven new projects, largely focusing on scaling up the NCD prevention and primary care efforts across Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and South-East Asia.
17 January 2025 Andreea Enea
While they are carefully tailored to meet local needs, the latest projects to receive funding from WDF share a common goal of enhancing national policy frameworks and strengthening detection and quality care of diabetes and hypertension at various levels of healthcare.
A key aspect of these projects is their commitment to building upon previous phases or initiatives by supporting governments in their responses to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), ensuring continuity, sustainability, and long-term effectiveness of care.
Key highlights of these projects include the strengthening of national health systems, provision of standard diagnostic and monitoring equipment, and operationalisation of referral systems. They also focus on capacity building through comprehensive training packages for healthcare professionals, complemented by subsequent mentoring.
Patient education is another crucial element, with projects aiming to improve skills for diabetes self-management among patients and their caregivers. This is often achieved through training sessions, and the formation of peer support groups. Community sensitisation and awareness are also prioritised, with health promotion messages disseminated through various channels.
Projects signed in H2 2024
South Africa
The project seeks to strengthen the national and provincial diabetes response by addressing gaps in diabetes awareness, diagnosis, care and management.
Palestine, West Bank
Zambia
WDF24-1936
The project aims to strengthen diabetes care for the estimated 75,000 people in the Kalulushi District, Zambia.
Burundi
WDF24-1934
This project aims to roll out a national diabetes prevention and management programme in Burundi.
Liberia
WDF24-1937
This project aims to consolidate and expand on previous WDF support where diabetes and hypertension services have been integrated into secondary and tertiary healthcare levels.
India
WDF24-1939
This is a collaborative effort between WHO India and the Ministry of Health to achieve the goals outlined in the 75 by 25 roadmap. This initiative was launched to bring 75 million people with diabetes and hypertension in India under care by 2025.
Mozambique
WDF23-1925
This project builds on previous WDF support to further integrate diabetes and hypertension care at primary healthcare level, part of the first phase of a national NCD response.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of such larger projects. They involve partnerships between various stakeholders, including governments, local communities, health workers, and healthcare organisations.
The multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder approach would ultimately help improve health outcomes by enabling more sustainable and impactful changes in NCD prevention and management.
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