Developing countries worldwide are experiencing a great increase in the prevalence of diabetes. In Guatemala, the estimated prevalence of diabetes in the adult population is just below 8%, and many more have pre-diabetes. Many people with diabetes are unaware of their condition.Lack of public awareness, inadequate training of health care personnel, limited resources for procuring materials for education, equipment and supplies for diagnosis, treatment and care of diabetes is negatively impacting the prevention, treatment and care of people with diabetes in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, as in most other parts of the developing world. Consequently, without immediate action, the current health and economic burden caused by diabetes is likely to keep increasing, which will be detrimental for the Guatemalan people.The objective of the project is to improve diabetes care in the region of Santiago Atitlán through better prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Asociación Pro-Salud, Educación y Dessarrollo is initiating the first WDF funded project in Guatemala. They will provide the technical expertise in collaboration with the local hospital. Two local health NGOs will integrate diabetes care into existing health clinics.Six diabetes clinics will be established in Santiago Atitlán and surrounding remote areas where 200 local health care workers will be trained in diabetes prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The health care workers will participate in a three-day course and the training will be interactive and include problem-based learning, discussions, and case studies and everything will have a community-based approach. A refresher training session will be organised each year following the initial training.A network consisting of ten local organisations who work in a diabetes related field will be created. The aim of this network is to empower the organisations, sharing of best practices, pooling resources, creating and launching a patient database, with the aim to influence local politicians, place diabetes higher on the political agenda and provide more attention and resources to address the problem.
- 13 clinics established or strengthened - 203 health care personnel trained- 1882 patients treated through established clinics