The National Guideline on Diabetes Mellitus has been recently launched, aiming to help guide Bangladeshi physicians to choose adequate treatment for managing their patients.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS) provided technical support to the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) to develop the guideline.
JICA’s technical cooperation project for ‘Strengthening Health Care Systems for Organizsng Communities’ (previously known as SHASTO) closely worked with the NCDC and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to develop and implement NCDC’s programme activities, including promoting the NCDs management model to prevent hypertension and diabetes.
Regarding the launch, KOMORI Takashi, senior representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency, said JICA is pleased to provide technical support to NCDC, DGHS, BADAS, and the Government of Bangladesh to establish the National Guideline on Diabetes Mellitus to help the physicians to offer appropriate treatment to the patients.
“We hope the guideline will help healthcare professionals and ensure high-quality healthcare services, improving patient outcomes and quality of life. We all want to strengthen the healthcare system of Bangladesh,” he said.
Takashi also mentioned that JICA is looking forward to launching “The Project to Strengthen Healthcare Systems for Preventing Non-communicable Diseases (will be known as SHASTO2)” this month.
The National Guideline on Diabetes Mellitus would provide evidence-based guidance for diagnosing, preventing, and managing diabetes in Bangladesh, which has been tailored to local practices, needs, and resources. It would cover numerous aspects of diabetes care, including screening, risk assessment, glycemic control, use of medications, insulin therapy, lifestyle intervention, and managing diabetes-related problems, such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy.
The launching ceremony was attended by Professor Dr AK Azad Khan, president of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh; KOMORI Takashi, senior representative of JICA Bangladesh; Professor Dr Akhtar Hussain, president of International Diabetes Federation; Professor Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed, vice chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University; Professor Dr AHM Enayet Hussain, vice chancellor of Sylhet Medical University; Saidur Rahman, additional secretary of Health Services Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and Professor Dr Mohammad Robed Amin, line director of Non-Communicable Disease Control Programme, Directorate General of Health Services.
