Cambodia in dire need of diabetes care
In February 2007, the World Diabetes Foundation inaugurated two diabetes clinics in Cambodia. It is the hope that the presence of these clinics will help increase awareness of diabetes and its consequences and strengthen access to treatment in two cities
Cambodian nurses celebrating the inauguration of diabetes clinics, February 2007The prevalence of diabetes in Cambodia is today surprisingly high and the factors ultimately leading to a diabetes epidemic are present. A recent epidemiological study published in The Lancet in 2005, estimates that a total of 255,000 people live with diabetes in Cambodia. About two-thirds of all cases of diabetes were undiagnosed before the survey.
A close link between poverty and diabetes
Cambodia is now one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 187th out of 191 countries according to health system attainment. The majority of the people live in a rural setting, and are barely able to support themselves through farming, which gives them a monthly income of less than USD 10.Economic restructuring, globalisation and the fast growing tourist industry leaves a trail of motorisation and changing food habits in the population as can be seen in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. On top of the previous hunger and deprivation period ending in the 1980’s, this extreme change in lifestyle may play an important role in the development of an epidemic of chronic diseases, including diabetes.
Clinics funded by Novo Nordisk managers and built by volunteers
It became possible to establish two clinics in Cambodia because of several generous donations. 36,000 USD were donated by the global finance managers from Novo Nordisk, additional funds were provided by WDF and a donation of two 40 feet containers was sponsored by the Singapore office of the global international container shipping agency A.P. Moeller-Maersk.With funds and containers at hand, volunteers at the Cambodian Diabetes Association and health authorities in Cambodia were able to build and equip two diabetes clinics in the cities of Battam Bang and Kampong Thom.
Mr. Jesper Brandgaard, chief financial officer of Novo Nordisk A/S inaugurated the clinic in Kampong Thom along with HE Chou Yin Sim, deputy health secretary, Ministry of Health in Cambodia and Mr. Leif Fenger Jensen, vice chairman of the WDF.
“I am proud that employees from Novo Nordisk - part of our Global Finance organisation - a team of hard working, dedicated and caring people have contributed with their personal funds to help set up this very fine clinic in Kampong Thom and a similar one in Battam Bang. I would like to extend my congratulations and appreciation to the Ministry of Health in Cambodia, the Cambodian Diabetes Association, Maersk Shipping and the World Diabetes Foundation in facilitating this multi-partner enterprise and collaboration that will establish a new benchmark for co-operation to help resolve health issues”, said Jesper Brandgaard at the inaugural ceremony on 15th February.
Inauguration day in Battambang
Two Buddhist monks chanted prayers to bless the facility at the inauguration in Battambang on 13th February, where almost 75 people, including the project partners, doctors and nurses from the regional hospital, people from media and other invitees attended the ceremony.HE Chou Yin Sim, Deputy Health Secretary explained how the living conditions of the Cambodian population have been improving steadily; “But along with this improvement, the rate of chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases is rising; this situation gives rise to a new burden that requires our Ministry of Health and in particular our health professionals to put all their efforts in upholding education to the general population, on time, in order to prevent the onset of the diseases.”
Sowing a seed
“At the WDF we feel pride in being the catalyst of change, and being the providers of seed money for good ideas which grow into successful and sustainable programmes”, said Dr. Anil Kapur, managing director of the World Diabetes Foundation in his speech at the inauguration in Battambang.
Dr Kapur praised the efforts done by project responsible Dr. Lim Keuky, President of the Cambodian Diabetes Association, “and this is a clear example of how important it is for us to have dedicated local champions involved who will take ownership of the project”.
He also wished the local partners good luck:”I hope that this little sapling that we plant today will one day grow into a bigger self sustaining tree of a national programme for chronic diseases.”
Three other WDF projects support training and diabetes care
The World Diabetes Foundation is currently supporting three additional projects in Cambodia.One of the projects “Model for diabetes care” is implemented by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with The Cambodian Diabetes Association and WHO. The project seeks to integrate diabetes care services into the existing government health care system in order to secure sustanibility and to set up clinics in Kampong Cham, Prey Veng and Pursat.
A project in Phnom Penh trains health care professionals, to facilitate access to medication for the poorest and raise awareness of diabetes in the capital.
The “Training of diabetes educators” project in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation runs in both Vietnam and Cambodia, training 50 health care providers to become trainers in each country. They will train a total of 250 health care providers in their community who will educate more than 200,000 people about diabetes. The training program in Cambodia was done in January and the staff of both the clinics at Battambang and Kampong Thom were trained at the course.
