The Tajik State Medical University named after Abu Ali ibn Sina (TSMU) organized an event in the city of Bokhtar dedicated to World Diabetes Day. A large-scale information campaign to raise awareness about diabetes was conducted at 3 locations in Bokhtar, two of which were at the "Farovon" and "Khodji Sharif" markets, and the third was at the City Health Center.
Throughout the day, volunteers distributed brochures on the risk factors and prevention of diabetes, as well as informed the population about the risks of late detection of the disease. Volunteers also offered screening and blood glucose level measurements to interested individuals.
As a result of the campaign, 334 people were screened. During the screening, height and weight measurements were taken, blood glucose levels were checked, and FINDRISK questionnaires were filled out. The main causes of diabetes include excess weight, improper diet, lack of physical activity, family history, and certain medical conditions. The disease often progresses asymptomatically in its early stages and is diagnosed too late.
The age of those screened ranged from 18 to 72 years, including 138 men and 196 women. It is worth noting that among the screened population, 50 people had carbohydrate metabolism disorders, and 71 had diabetes. Additionally, 114 individuals (57 men and 57 women) were overweight, while 126 individuals (52 men and 74 women) were obese.
A seminar was held for family doctors at the City Health Center in Bokhtar, covering the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of acute and chronic complications of diabetes. At the end of the seminar, a quiz was conducted, and the winners received glucometers.
In early December, a training of trainers (ToT) was organized in Dushanbe for endocrinologists and family doctors on the timely diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes patients, aiming to improve medical care for diabetic patients and enhance the qualifications of healthcare professionals.
Participants from 4 regions of the country took part in the training, with a total of 37 specialists trained in 2 rounds. Certificates were awarded to the participants, and future trainers were selected to continue the implementation of diabetes management guidelines at the regional level.
The information campaign was part of the project "BaSIC - Establishment of an Integrated Primary Health Care System in Tajikistan," funded by the European Union (EU) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ), and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
