Amader Prochesta to create awareness on Covid-19 and diabetes

A project titled "Amader Prochesta" was launched on Saturday to create social awareness on Covid-19 and diabetes. 

The project will help healthcare professionals in identifying the unmet needs in diabetes management for patients, who are suffering from Covid-19, and the preparedness required in the healthcare system.

The project is a joint initiative of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS), Non-Communicable Diseases Control (NCDC) Programme of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Novo Nordisk and Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

A guideline on Covid-19 and diabetes for healthcare professional has been prepared and published and a dedicated website: www.diabetes-covid19.org has been introduced under this project.

Besides, two certificate courses on "Covid-19 prevention of diabetic patients and services" has also been introduced under the project.

Two lakh people will be tested for random blood sugar, and educational materials, videos, leaflets, and posters have been prepared and distributed on the prevention of Covid-19 and diabetes.

BADAS president Professor AK Azad Khan said, "Diabetes patients are at higher risk and they need to be very careful amidst this pandemic and social awareness is the key to prevent this deadly disease including other NCDs."

"The death rate of Covid-19 patients living with NCDs such as diabetes is much higher and we need to work together to address the challenges of Covid-19," said Dr AHM Enayet Hussain, director-general of the DGHS.

"This is a timely initiative and it will bring more values for patients who are facing challenges of limited healthcare resources in the country," said Professor Akhtar Hussain, president (elected) of the International Diabetes Federation.

"This project is an opportunity for Novo Nordisk to demonstrate our social responsibility and commitment to patients and the communities we operate in," said Dr Mihail Briciu, managing director of Novo Nordisk.

The new platform will be used effectively to protect the health of patients living with diabetes and hypertension, said Yasuhiro Kawazoe, a senior representative of the Jica.

Md Sayef Uddin, secretary-general of BADAS; Professor Dr Md Faruque Pathan, Department of Endocrinology, BIRDEM; Dr MA Samad, chief executive officer of National Healthcare Network; Professor Brigadier General Dr Md Abdul Majid Bhuiyan, director, BIHS General Hospital; Dr Bishwajit Bhowmik, coordinator, Centre for Global Health Research of BADAS; and Dr Abdul Alim, assistant director and program manager, NCDC, DG Health were present at the programme.