To support the Ministry of Health with the implementation of the national diabetes strategy and to ensure continued access to diabetes-related eye care in the regions.
This project represents the third phase of our collaboration with AECP, aiming to catalyse the realisation of Armenia’s diabetes strategy for 2022-2026 through national-level implementation. Given the recent influx of 100,000 refugees to Armenia, we are committed to ensuring the inclusion of refugees in all interventions.The project activities include:1. Operationalisation of New Diabetes-Related Health Services: As defined in the strategy, this includes the development of diabetes-specific treatment protocols and guidelines, as well as a curriculum for patient education to be delivered in 'diabetes schools' within health facilities.2. Strengthening Access to and Utilisation of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) Management and Care: This will be achieved by training primary HCPs on new treatment protocols for diabetes, DR, diabetic foot, mental health, data collection, and drug compatibility/administration. We will also strengthen public primary health care (PHC) clinics through the provision of fundus cameras with artificial intelligence and portable HbA1c analysers. Furthermore, we will roll out routine screening for diabetes and DR at PHC clinics and through outreach done by trained regional ophthalmologists and a mobile eye hospital team. Treatment for patients with DR, including laser, will be provided. We will also develop and use innovative tools, including a regional training hub, a digital training platform for specialists, and the integration of an electronic medical record system with the national e-health provider.3. Piloting of Services to be Introduced as Part of Diabetes Strategy Implementation: This includes introducing foot screening, management and referral at PHC by trained HCPs and during outreach. We will establish proof-of-concept 'diabetes schools', with diabetes educators to be trained based on a curriculum to be accredited by the National Health Institute. Regular sessions for people with diabetes will be conducted. We will also pilot a chronic care model introduced at PHC in WDF17-1742 to be finalised and handed over to MoH, with individual treatment plans and close follow-up.4. Supporting Policy Making: We will support policy making through the revision of the diabetes strategy for the second phase (2027-2031) and prepare relevant policy documents.
• 1,560 PHC doctors, including 60 ophthalmologists, trained across 66 health facilities, improving nationwide access to diabetes and eye care for a catchment population of over 20 years, totalling 2 million people. • 17,000 people screened with HbA1c at clinics and during outreach.• 41,500 people have undergone diabetes risk assessment and general eye screening during outreach, which will include: (Screening of 15,500 people at risk of diabetes for DR; Diagnosis of 3,875 people with diabetes with DR; Laser treatment for 1,250 patients with DR; Notably, 3% of the targets will be of refugee status)• 3 pilot diabetes foot clinics established at PHC, where 10,300 people with diabetes were screened for diabetes foot complications.• 3 proof-of-concept 'diabetes schools ' created, where 10 diabetes educators were trained and 800 people with diabetes completed diabetes school modules.• 10 model clinics for chronic care (four old, six new) strengthened, and a roadmap for the next phase strategy (2027-2031) developed and adopted.