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SOUTH SUDAN DIABETES CONTROL PROJECT

By CONSTANTINE JERVASE YAK

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BACKGROUND

Most of us are aware of the fact that South Sudan pre- and post-independence era is characterized by a devastated infrastructure and almost NIL service delivery due to the protracted war of liberation. The Health Sector is among the most affected;

Consequently, soon after independence in 2011, a group of concerned South Sudanese nationals, together with other Sudanese colleagues, met in Khartoum in order to examine ways they could contribute to the enhancement of service delivery to South Sudanese citizens.

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Ultimately, “WHITE NILE CHARITY FOUNDATION” was formed, through which charitable services could be channeled;

Founders of WNCF were five: three South Sudanese and two Sudanese. One of the organization’s founding member is Late Mr. Amin Akasha, the veteran Businessman in Juba, well known all over. His son, Mr. Isam Amin Akasha is also a founding member;

The WNCF was duly registered as a local NGO in 2013.

WHITE NILE CHARITY FOUNDATION [WNCF]

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Before independence, South Sudan was covered by «Sudan Diabetes Care Organization (SDCO)» of Sudan, in regards to the Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs);

It was at the behest of SDCO that the concept originated of extending the activities of SDCO to South Sudan after independence, under the umbrella of WNCF;

Consultations with relevant authorities duely followed. The idea was fully appreciated and supported by both the National and Central Equatoria State Ministries of Health.

SOUTH SUDAN DIABETES CONTROL PROJECT

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SOUTH SUDAN DIABETES CONTROL PROJECT�“Prevention is better than Cure”

To obtain funds in order to start with, WNCF applied to WORLD DIABETES FOUNDATION (WDF) for sponsorship. After prolonged negotiations, and convincing WDF of the necessity of such a Project in independent South Sudan, the sponsorship was granted in 2014. Thus, was born “South Sudan Diabetes Control Project”, the first of its kind in the nascent nation;

South Sudan is one of the many developing countries where management of diabetes as such, is still in its infancy due to limited funds & lack of adequate human resources; so, prevention is still of utmost importance.

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MISSION & VISION

The mission of South Sudan Diabetes Control Project is a modest one: that of promoting diabetes prevention and care in South Sudan;

This implies the need for education of the general public including school-age children, as well as advice on consumption of low-cost healthy foods;

The ultimate goal is eventually to prevent the coming generation from grappling with the dire consequences of diabetes.

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Develop a strong National Strategic Policy and Clinical Practice Guidelines for diabetes care, in conformity with the Strategic Plans of the National Ministry of Health;

Achieve maximum number of patients through public awareness exercises for diabetes and its risk factors.;

Application of early detection procedures (screening) in individuals undiagnosed or at risk, further assessing and educating them to better understand their health status, so that they can take precautions in order to lead a healthier life;

Targeting groups comprising people with diabetes and their families, health professionals, the executive, politicians & the general public at large.

Objectives

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Diabetes situation in South Sudan

Diabetes is a very insidious ailment that has now reached epidemic proportions all over the world. But the good news is that Diabetes is preventable if it is detected at its earlier stages before it causes irreversible damage;

The exact burden of Diabetes Mellitus is still not very clear in South Sudan due to a number of unfavourable factors which we are all familiar with;

However, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) as a whole, which include Diabetes, are a leading and worrying cause of morbidity and mortality in South Sudan.

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PARTNERSHIP

SSDCP is fortunate enough to have the encouragement, cooperation and support of the following partners: -

The National Ministry of Health, especially in developing a National Diabetes Mellitus Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030, by which guidance we are able to operationalize;

Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health for availing space for Diabetes Clinics within Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs), and availing Health professionals for management;

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PARTNERSHIP...

Ahfad University for Women (AUW) in Sudan for opening the gate for human resource capacity building in Diabetes Education;

The World Health Organization (WHO) country office for its valuable coaching and advisory role;

World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) for initially granting sponsorship without which South Sudan Diabetes Control Project would not be;

IFL USA for the invaluable continuous supply of Diabetes material, including insulin medication, since 2019.

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�ACHIEVEMENTS�

There is a draft strategic plan already in place, thanks to our National Ministry of Health;
One functional Model Diabetes Control Clinic established in June 2016 within Malakia PHCC, thanks to Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health;
A 3-day course for Training of Trainers (ToTs) in Diabetes Education, conducted for 20 Health professionals at Central Equatoria State Ministry of Health premises every six months, whenever funds are available;

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Model Diabetes Control Clinic in Malakia PHCC

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ACHIEVEMENTS…

Awareness and Screening Campaigns conducted once a year since 2014, on World Diabetes Day or on special health occasions, whenever funds are available; attended by patients, Members of Parliament, government officials, Organized Forces (Police & Prisons), civil society representatives and students’ bodies;

The first batch of five South Sudanese Health Professionals, trained in postgraduate Diabetes Education at Ahfad University for Women (AUW) in Sudan, graduated in April 2017.

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FIRST BATCH - 2017 OF DIABETES EDUCATORS FROM AUW - SUDAN

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CHALLENGES & WAY FORWARD

Lack of funds for expansion: WDF was the only funding agency which ended in 2016;

One diabetes clinic is not enough considering the number of patients flocking in for assistance and advice from different parts of South Sudan;

Insufficient number of qualified health professionals in Diabetes Education. Need for more human resource capacity building;

Need for a stronger supportive government and legislative health policy.

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CONCLUSION

How to support SSDCP

Training of more healthcare professionals in Diabetes Education;

Provision of more sophisticated laboratory equipment, and diabetes medication;

Provision / Establishment of facilities for prosthetic limbs for diabetic amputees.

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CONCLUSION…

Finally, we must recognize the fact that health can be deployed as a good entry point to initiate dialogue across the spectrum, and to spearhead the resolution of conflicts, with the sincere intention of serving public interest and building trust and legitimacy;
There is a lot we can gain in forming a united front, not only in our commitment in healing diseases alone, but also in bringing people of diverse opinions together, in order to heal the differences, thus highlighting the significance of ”HEALTH DIPLOMACY”.