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Diabetes affects 10-14% of the population of Sri Lanka. Less
than half will know that they have diabetes and half of those who know
they have it attend a diabetes clinic regularly.
Late diagnosis of diabetes is frequent in Sri Lanka, with many
people suffering from visual problems, renal failure or neuropathy
already at the time of diagnosis.
This contributes significantly to hospital costs and
it confirms the need for building the capacity for primary
prevention screening and early diagnosis of diabetes.
Objective
The project aims to build capacity and create awareness regarding
diabetes and other non-communicable diseases with a view to reduce risk
factors by promotion of healthy lifestyles.
Approach
The Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Trust, the University of Sri
Jayawardenapura and the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka and Kings
Mill Hospital, Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Trust in the United Kingdom
have joined forces to collaborate in this project.
Following a baseline survey of prevalence of diabetes and risk
factors as well as an assessment of existing health care capacity, the
project will focus on:
- Building capacity for early detection and good control of diabetes
- A lifestyle modification campaign
For the capacity building component, the project plans to establish
a model diabetes clinic at Colombo South Teaching Hospital in the
capital of Sri Lanka. This clinic will develop and deliver acceptable
standards of care and it is expected that over time, this model will be
applied and implemented in other cities in Sri Lanka.
Training workshops as well as hands on training in the model clinic
will be conducted for doctors and nurses from all over the country.
A patient education programme will be developed and implemented in Singhalese, Tamil and English.
Concerning the lifestyle modification campaign, the project intends
to implement this task in collaboration with social service and local
government organisations and the local branch of the Diabetes
Association of Sri Lanka.
The campaign will include advertisements on radio and television,
posters, seminars and school competitions. Advocacy meetings will be
held with local opinion leaders from school authorities, health
authorities, industry and the mayor and council.
Expected Impact
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230 doctors and 250 nurses trained in early detection and treatment of diabetes
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45,000 people with diabetes will have access to improved diabetes care in Colombo
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500,000 people exposed to healthy living campaign
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Nationwide healthy living campaigns in national newspapers |
