Many African countries are now facing a growing challenge of an increasing number of people with hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease and diabetes in addition to communicable diseases. This has been called the ‘double disease burden’ and poses challenges to resource-poor countries, in part because of the demands it places on health systems to invest in the provision of both the ongoing delivery of medicines and the knowledge and training of health care workers in managing chronic disease.

Problems identified by the World Health Organization related to healthcare organisation and Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are:

• Failure to organise care for chronic conditions;
• Health care workers lack tools and expertise;
• Practice is not informed by scientific evidence;
• Failure to address prevention;
• Information systems are not in place;
• Failure to connect with community resources.

This report was prepared using the IIF’s field experience, discussions with key opinion leaders, a thorough review of the literature and the proceedings of two meetings organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Africa Region and WHO AFRO held in Nairobi (2-3 March 2006) and in Bamako (29-30 June 2006). The aim of this document is to provide a guide to countries in sub-Saharan Africa wishing to implement a National Diabetes Programme.

A full copy of the report can be downloaded below:

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