Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is among the most widespread and severe diabetes-related complications, potentially causing blindness. DR is preventable with timely diagnosis and treatment, making screening services paramount. However, in 2008 only one eye screening facility existed in Ethiopia - located in Addis Ababa. Thus, DR screening was only provided to a total of 700 people. With around 1 million people living with diabetes throughout the country, the service coverage and quality has been grossly inadequate.Most of the Ethiopian population reside in rural areas with limited access to health care services, poor infrastructure and high transportation costs. Consequently, most people do not have the possibility of receiving DR screening and care. Thus, WDF10-490 aims enhance capacity building for support of diabetic medical care centres in Ethiopia, to improve early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The aim of the project is to improve the quality of and access to diabetic retinopathy services in Ethiopia.
The project is initiated by the Ethiopian Diabetes Association (EDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Heart of England Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Centre (HEDRSC). The project seeks to improve early detection of DR through capacity building and awareness-raising.Five hospitals, three of which are national referral level hospitals and two referral level tertiary hospitals, representing a fair geographical distribution, will receive capacity building to provide DR screening to diabetes patients (Gondar, Mekelle, Addis Ababa, Hawassa and Jimma). Diabetes patients will be recruited among EDA members, as well as among outpatients referred from various health care providers. Comprehensive training of 22 nurses will be conducted, enabling them to provide eye screening and basic care.Two public referral hospitals will be equipped to provide laser treatment. Three ophthalmologists at each hospital will receive on the job training to conduct laser treatment. The training will be conducted by HEDRSC who has funded the screening facility at Addis Ababa.The project will also incorporate an element of awareness-raising to promote regular eye examinations, which is paramount for reducing the risk of DR and blindness. In collaboration with diabetes educators and local diabetes clinics, EDA will conduct monthly educational sessions in the community and distribute educational materials to health care providers throughout the country. Furthermore, a campaign using different mass media will be launched.The project has a strong poverty focus, and priority will be given to the most vulnerable groups, including elderly and marginalised community members.
• Educational materials on diabetic retinopathy produced• 9,750 diabetes patients screened for diabetic retinopathy • 3,000 diabetes patients have undergone laser treatment• 4,000 association members educated• 22 nurses trained to conduct eye screening