Insights from our work

In May, WDF and the International Diabetes Federation organised a side event to the World Health Assembly, where leaders and experts discussed the role of digital health in improving care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), emphasising strengthening implementation of existing technologies to benefit those in need, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Through co-creation efforts, the Diabetes Compass Initiative sought to transform diabetes care pathways through digital innovation for capacity building of local healthcare workers. Malawi and Tanzania serve as examples.

Jackie Ogutu, Head of Digital Health Solutions at the World Diabetes Foundation, in conversation with Sven Ekert, Senior Strategist at Manyone. They will took a look at how the Diabetes Compass initiative is seeking to transform early detection and care through co-created digital solutions in Sri Lanka, Malawi, and Tanzania.

Evaluation of the impact of a new EMR system on the quality of care and clinical outcomes for individuals with T1D in Rwanda, showing significant improvements in clinical attendance, data completeness, and HbA1c levels.

This study evaluates the adoption and impact of an EMR system, highlighting its positive reception among users but emphasising the need for sustainability to ensure long-term success.

This study explores the development of a tailored EMR system to enhance care and clinical outcomes for individuals with T1D through a qualitative, cocreative approach with local stakeholders.

Digital technology offers substantial potential yet must surmount health system, technological and acceptability issues. This formative research aimed to identify the potential for a digital technology solution to address diabetes care gaps in primary healthcare.

Explore the potential of the Diabetes Compass to address care gaps in primary healthcare settings, revealing strong support for digital interventions to enhance detection, diagnosis, and secondary prevention of complications associated with diabetes.

See the case study on Diabetes Compass in the NCD Alliance’s publication on “Optimising the use of digital technologies for healthy societies and economies.”

The Diabetes Compass team has been busy preparing the launch of the first health app for door-to-door diabetes screening, working side-by-side with communities in Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

Digital innovation that aims to deliver hypertension and diabetes care to millions in low- and middle-income countries demands collaborations that balance the future of digital healthcare with scalable solutions today.

Several solutions are in development, and more are on the way. All grow out of local context and respond to local needs.

MUHAS participated in brainstorming sessions for the “Diabetes Compass”: an initiative to improve the quality of diabetes care in Tanzania through innovative digital solutions

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The Sri Lanka College of Endocrinologists and Tanzania Diabetes Association will lead the implementation in their respective countries, with launch expected by 2024.

The five organisations are experts in their fields, bringing competencies within diabetes care, digital solutions, and research to the Diabetes Compass initiative.

New global initiative offers digital support to health workers, enabling quality diabetes care for patients in LMICs.

Many regions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) struggle with a shortage of trained health workers, making it more difficult to fulfill the high demand for health care. Creating digital short-cuts for frontline health workers to gain the expertise they need could be part of the answer.