IIF's Project in Nicaragua
This was the first implementation of the RAPIA in Latin America. Nicaragua was chosen, as it is a “Highly Indebted Poor Country” (HIPC). The World Bank has defined an HIPC on the basis that the demands on these countries for debt repayment heavily exceed their ability to generate income, and as a consequence, programmes of social investment including health are suffering. In addition HI based on a pilot experience in Esteli and in line with its aim to strengthen its capacity in the prevention of disability was keen to initiate a diabetes complication prevention project in Esteli. In order to do this it was felt that it was necessary to carry out a clear evaluation of the situation.
Implementing the RAPIA in Nicaragua was to see how a sustainable solution could be found to the issues of access to insulin and proper diabetes care under extreme conditions of scarce resources in the health sector in a Latin American context and also identify possible projects for HI to implement. Past implementations of the RAPIA had focused mainly on access to insulin, during this implementation the assessment included access to oral medications for Type 2 diabetes as well.
The IIF’s Project Coordinator, David Beran in collaboration with Dr. Catherine Atlan-Corea, Consultant for HI Nicaragua, and coordinated by Dr. Brenda Tapia and Ana Julia Martinez from HI Nicaragua and a two teams of interviewers carried out the RAPIA in Managua, Esteli and Pueblo Nuevo. A total of 264 interviews, discussions and meetings were held.
Each interview had as its main aim to obtain the person's perspective on the problems faced by people with diabetes in Nicaragua in gaining access to insulin and proper diabetes care, rather than seeking precise statistical information.
It should be noted that all data presented below is based on a mix of statistics, perceptions and estimates. Any problems or conclusions generated from this data are for raising awareness and in no way can be used to remedy a problem.
Implementing the RAPIA in Nicaragua was to see how a sustainable solution could be found to the issues of access to insulin and proper diabetes care under extreme conditions of scarce resources in the health sector in a Latin American context and also identify possible projects for HI to implement. Past implementations of the RAPIA had focused mainly on access to insulin, during this implementation the assessment included access to oral medications for Type 2 diabetes as well.
The IIF’s Project Coordinator, David Beran in collaboration with Dr. Catherine Atlan-Corea, Consultant for HI Nicaragua, and coordinated by Dr. Brenda Tapia and Ana Julia Martinez from HI Nicaragua and a two teams of interviewers carried out the RAPIA in Managua, Esteli and Pueblo Nuevo. A total of 264 interviews, discussions and meetings were held.
Each interview had as its main aim to obtain the person's perspective on the problems faced by people with diabetes in Nicaragua in gaining access to insulin and proper diabetes care, rather than seeking precise statistical information.
It should be noted that all data presented below is based on a mix of statistics, perceptions and estimates. Any problems or conclusions generated from this data are for raising awareness and in no way can be used to remedy a problem.