National Diabetes Mellitus Strategy and Diabetic Blindness Prevention, Armenia

Objectives

- To develop a national diabetes mellitus (DM) strategy
- To improve access and utilisation of diabetes and diabetes eye care through a continuum of care model, innovative technologies and awareness raising
- To strengthen capacity of health care professionals (HCPs) through training and establish a Regional training hub and trilingual e-learning platform.

Approach

The project builds on structures created during WDF16-1353 and constitutes a second phase collaboration with AECP. The project seeks to leverage the whole continuum of care for diabetes patients in Armenia through advancing to a higher level of stakeholder engagement and creating an integrated model for comprehensive diabetes care jointly with the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Through the project the national diabetes strategy will be revised and developed into a comprehensive national strategy.

A tailored diabetes eye care package will be developed and implemented to establish the required infrastructure, equipment, guidelines and referral algorithms. Equipment such as portable fundus cameras with artificial intelligence and HbA1c analysers will be provided to public primary level clinics.

Health care providers trained in the first project phase will receive refresher trainings within diabetic retinopathy photo imaging and in general diabetes patient education. A regional training hub will be established to provide training in diabetic retinopathy imaging, artificial intelligence management and laser treatment for specialists in Armenia and the region. A trilingual e-learning platform will also be established to provide diabetes and diabetic retinopathy training.

Routine screening for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy will be introduced at primary level clinics and outreach will be conducted in remote and rural areas. Patients in need of specialised eye care will be referred and treated accordingly. Diabetes education will be provided by the trained HCPs and take place in group sessions. These sessions will function as a pilot of the ‘Diabetes School’ concept in Armenia.

Expected results

- National strategy for integrated diabetes care developed and adopted
- 60 ophthalmologists and 100 GPs/endocrinologists trained
- 52 clinics strengthened with equipment
- 15,000 people screened for diabetic retinopathy
- 5,000 patients trained in self-management at diabetes schools
- One regional training hub established
- Trilingual e-learning platform established