Guyana, South America is considered a lower middle income country and is the third poorest country in South America (OECD, 2012). The citizens of Guyana are severely impacted by type 2 diabetes, partly as a consequence of national ethnic diversity with Indo-Guyanese (43%), Afro-Guyanese (30%) and Amerindian (9%) - all high risk groups. While there have been no formal prevalence studies, the Diabetes Atlas 6th ed. estimates that 14% of the adult population of 427,000 is afflicted. This is the highest prevalence in South America and is expected to rise to 17.9% by 2030.To implement phase 1 of a national NCD response based on existing structure of collaboration between the co-applicant institutions.
The project activities funded by WDF include:Introduction of eye care capacity at referral level including training of opthalmologists, optometrists, and establishment of electronic medical record (EMR) system (GPHC). Also training of HCPs at primary level, and purchase of advanced eye care equipment (fundus camera, laser).Introduction of diabetes and pregnancy services at referral level through training of HCPs and institutionalisation of screening of pregnant women, care/follow up (ref. to the ‘Tamil Nadu model’).Implementation of various health promotion and awareness activities including application of the ‘India Diabetes Risk Score’ screening tool and including mobile phone contacts to patients.Improvement of patient registries and data records at GPHC and within MoH through introduction of new database systems.
- Guidelines, protocols and education materials revised and disseminated- Eye care services established at Georgetown capital referral hospital (GPHC) and 17 ophthalmologists and optometrists trained- 120 HCPs trained in diabetic retinopathy screening- In total, more than 350 HCPs of different categories trained through the project- More than 8,000 diabetes patients screened for diabetic retinopathy and with more than 1,800 laser treatments done- Diabetes and pregnancy services established at GPHC and at two primary level facilities- More than 2,200 pregnant women screened for gestational diabetes and 475 women diagnosed and provided care.- Four out of ten regions of Guyana targeted with different awareness and screening activities, all in the greater Georgetown capital area, with close to 2,300 people screened for diabetes.- First stages of a new and integrated EMR-HMIS systems implemented- Scientific paper published on diabetes prevalence in Guyana