The number of diabetes cases in Sub-Saharan Africa is likely to double and reach 24 million cases by 2030 unless major progress is made in both prevention and treatment. In DR Congo more recent country statistics suggests a diabetes prevalence of 7-8%. The NGO CAPSA is currently running a project called “Diabetes awareness and education campaign” with support by WDF (WDF12-727), which will be extended to other health care districts with this new project. Raise awareness of non-communicable diseases, especially diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, in South Kivu Province.
The project will be implemented in the Health Zones of Uvira, Kabare, Nundu, Fizi and the Bukavu Health Care District and include several elements. First a 4-day training session on management of diabetes will be organised for the management teams of the Health Zones. Two 4-day training sessions per year on diabetes will be organised for the healthcare personnel in the health areas of the Health Zones. Each training session will be attended by by more than 300 participants. The topics for training will be patho-physiology, diagnosis, drug-therapy, prevention and management, patient registry and reporting. Educational materials will be provided. Each health centre will be given a diabetes screening kit consisting of glucose meters, test strips and lancets. These kits will allow the health centres to perform early diabetes screening. CAPSA will produce tools to raise awareness about diabetesin the form of posters and booklets. Particular attention will be paid to gestational diabetes and Type 1 diabetes to facilitate the task of those running the antenatal consultation activities and preschool consultation at the health centres. Two two-day training will be organized for each of the CODESA members. The training courses will focus on diabetes, care of patients within the community and techniques for mobilising communities in the fight against diabetes. Posters will be produced to CODESA members to be used in their diabetes outreach activities Two 2-day information-sharing sessions will be organised to raise awareness of diabetes among religious leaders, women community leaders, civil-society leaders and educational leaders (schools), elected representatives, political and administrative authorities and health authorities. This training session will be attended by 200 participants. CAPSA will produce and host radio broadcasts of up to 30 minutes in local radio stations covering the project area. The program content will focus on education, prevention and community management of diabetes. These radio broadcasts and radio spots will give those who did not attend the training sessions the chance to hear information about diabetes.
• Awareness raised in 4 health zones via 150 radio programmes and 150 spots on diabetes• 178,804 people reached through awareness campaigns• 103 clinics strengthened for diabetes care• 562 HCPs trained (21 doctors, 541 nurses)• 4,515 people screened for diabetes