Pandemic diabetes: can developed-world health professionals do more to support care in developing countries?

Abstract

Background: The world is witnessing a global diabetes pandemic, likely to have devastating consequences for people with diabetes unless there are adequate measures to improve capacity for diabetes care. In December 2006 the United Nations passed a resolution (UNR), recognising diabetes as a serious health threat of the 21st century. The Unite for Diabetes campaign has three phases, the final stage being the development of programmes to facilitate lasting benefits for people with diabetes, globally.

Aim: The developing world is witnessing the worst of the diabetes pandemic; such health communities are often least well-equipped to cope. Thus, there is a pressing need to adopt the UNR as a vehicle to catalyse improved capacity through measures including competence and skill development in these regions. An educational course of this nature was developed and implemented in Sri Lanka, in 2004. Consequently, diabetes specialist nurses, previously almost unseen in this developing nation, now run clinics and contribute to improvements in care for people with diabetes.

Conclusion: Although developed health economies face considerable challenges as the full effect of increased diabetes prevalence is felt, the humanitarian and economic consequences of this pandemic across the developing world cannot be ignored. Action must be taken soon. Sharing the skills and competencies perfected in the developed world must be an integral and prominent part of this process. Strategically, nurses specialising in diabetes will be among the most important groups involved in beginning the battle to combat this pandemic.

Keywords:

• Diabetes in developing countries
• pandemic diabetes
• diabetes nursing
• diabetes educators
• competencies
• United Nations Resolution (UNR) on Diabetes