PHFI to scale-up Diabetes Capacity Programme

Recognizing that the economic burden due to diabetes and its associated complications in India is amongst highest in the world, Public Health Foundation of India, a premier think-tank and research institute in South Asia reaffirmed its commitment to scale-up its'Diabetes Capacity Programme' in India, and further taking it to various countries in the South Asia region.

Diabetes and its associated complications are one of the most serious public health problems in India, with India ranked second in terms of prevalence globally. The International Diabetes Federation estimates the number of patients with diabetes in India at 69.189 million of which 36.061 million are estimated to be undiagnosed and it is estimated that by 2040 the numbers will increase upto 123.5 million people, a truly frightening expected increase of 78.5%. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that diabetes, heart disease and stroke will cost $237 billion in lost income for India from 2005 to 2015. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) states that a low-income Indian family with an adult living with diabetes can spend up to 25% of their income on diabetes care.

Representing PHFI at the World Diabetes Congress 2015, in Vancouver, Prof D Prabhakaran, Vice President Research - PHFI, said, "The socio- economic burden of diabetes and its associated complications in India, and many low and middle income countries can be reduced by timely intervention from trained healthcare professionals if diagnosed at an early stage. PHFI reaffirms its commitment to improve health outcomes of people and will embark upon a renewed roadmap to address the current constraints in the health system to effectively manage diabetes and its associated complications in India and the rest of the South Asian continent. In this context it becomes essential that there are quality educational initiatives that aid the healthcare community in clinical diagnosis and management of diabetes. The various diabetes courses at PHFI will meet these challenges and help physicians improve their knowledge of diabetes, related complications, diagnosis and management, through more systematic and structured contact programmes."

Presently PHFI runs four courses in the field of diabetes management namely - Certificate Course in Evidence Based Diabetes Management, Certificate Course in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Advanced Certificate Course in Prevention and Management of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (ACMDC), Diabetic Retinopathy Course.

The courses are executive on-the-job training programs that develops core competencies of doctors (general physicians and specialists) to enhance their skills for practicing evidence based management various types of Diabetes and its associated complications. Over the last 5 years these courses have already trained and churned over 13000 physicians in primary care settings pan-India.

The courses have international collaborating partners like IDF, WHF etc. to keep the focus robust with a globally accept values. Two courses - CCEBDM and CCGDM have received IDF recognitions, and are also recognized by various state governments as nodal teaching courses. All courses are offered on a modular basis with judicious mix of case-studies, group discussion and direct teaching with great flexibility to accommodate participant's requirements.

Currently, the courses are running in 91 cities, 24 states, and four Union Territories of India, globally one of the highest numbers of training centres in any region/country. Recently these capacity building initiatives by PHFI have won the prestigious PHD Chambers of Commerce award for Excellence in Skill Development for the Year 2015, presented by the honorable Home Minister of India.

Lauding PHFI's efforts in the realm of NCDs, especially Diabetes management, Sir Michael Hirst, President of the International Diabetes Federation said "Diabetes is one of the major health and development challenges of the 21st century. No country, rich or poor, is immune to this chronic, incurable, and costly epidemic. I am pleased to know that given the current alarming situation of diabetes and its related complications in India, PHFI is reaffirming its commitment towards working to change the 'diabetes paradox' that it faces presently. PHFI through its IDF recognized CCEDBM and GDM courses has had fruitful partnership with IDF. These courses provide quality education to Indian doctors, and have gone a long way to address the epidemic of diabetes and its related complications in India.