Coloplast's donation programme Access to Healthcare just signed a contract with
the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) about a new healthcare project in India.
The project aims to improve the treatment of diabetic wounds.
"Every single day, 110 Indians have a foot or part of their leg amputated due
to diabetic foot ulcers, and an unknown number die before they are even
diagnosed” says Per Ole Nielsen, Project Manager of Access to Healthcare.
Training in diagnosis and care of diabetic wounds is essential to reduce this
figure.
“With the right knowledge, treatment may be deployed rapidly and the wound may
heal in time, avoiding an amputation - that is why education projects like this
are so important," says Dr. Arun Bal, Founder President of the Diabetic Foot
Society of India, who as local partner applied for support to drive the
project.
Dr. Anil Kapur, Managing Director of the World Diabetes Foundation and Chairman
of the Access to Health Care Donation Board agrees.
“It only costs three US dollars to educate a diabetes patient so he will be
able take care of his feet and prevent foot ulcers, whereas it costs an
estimated 650 dollars to amputate a limb and another 524 dollars for a limb
prosthesis. Costs like these put people into lifelong indebtedness” says Anil
Kapur. “We are proud to support this project together with Coloplast, and we
hope our joint funding will improve the quality of life for poor and
disadvantaged people suffering from foot ulcers and foot complications.”
As part of the project, the Diabetic Foot Society of India will train 2,280
healthcare professionals in modern wound care treatment supported by Access to
Healthcare and the World Diabetes Foundation.
The wound care project is one of three projects that we operate in India. The
other two projects are also educational projects - one about ostomy care and
the other about spinal cord injuries (see fact box). All projects are designed
to increase doctors and nurses' knowledge of treatment and care of taboo and
neglected diseases within wound, ostomy and continence care.
“Coloplast develops products and services for people with personal and private
medical conditions. These conditions are treated well in the western world, but
in developing countries, like India, they hardly get any attention. The
knowledge level is low, and the consequences for these people are large,” says
Per Ole Nielsen, Senior Project Manager, Access to Healthcare, Coloplast.
CONTACTS
Access to Healthcare, Coloplast
Per OIe Nielsen, Senior project manager
Tlf. +45 4911 1939
Mail: dkpon@coloplast.com
Coloplast
Morten Sørensen, Media Relations Manager
+45 4911 2632
Mail: dkmoso@coloplast.com
World Diabetes Foundation
Jamal R. Butt, Communication manager
Tlf. +45 4443 4736
Mobil +45 3075 4736
Mail: jmbu@worlddiabetesfoundation.org
FACTS
Access to Healthcare
Access to Healthcare is Coloplast's Donation Programme. It is dedicated to
giving people in selected developing countries access to better intimate
healthcare and to help them live life with dignity. Coloplast initiated Access
to Healthcare at its 50th anniversary in 2007 to give hope to our end-users
living in developing countries and to gain knowledge about future markets.
The World Diabetes Foundation
The World Diabetes Foundation is dedicated to support, prevent and
treat diabetes in the developing world through the funding of sustainable
projects. Through partnerships they act as a catalyst to help others do more and
strive to educate and advocate globally in an effort to create awareness, care
and relief to those impacted by diabetes.
More information
• Access to Healthcare: http://ath.coloplast.com/Pages/home.aspx
• World Diabetes Foundation: http://www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/
• Diabetic Foot Society of India: http://www.dfsi.in/index.htm
FACTS ABOUT THE THREE PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
National Wound Care Training Workshops
Where
India
Who
Applicant: Amrita Institute of medical Sciences/Diabetic Foot Society
Partners:
World Diabetes Foundation
European Wound Management Association
When
February 2010 - July 2012
Objective
To create a better environment for people living with chronic wounds. The
training of doctors and nurses will take place in workshops at selected
hospitals in 11 out of India's 27 states. Money for the project is donated by
Access to Healthcare/Coloplast and WDF.
Results
2,880 medical professionals will be trained in modern wound management, practice
and concepts, and a national cadre of wound care workers/specialists will be
founded.
The aim is to reduce the number of foot amputations with 10 % from 2012
and to create awareness among patients about the importance of getting early
and proper treatment of cronic wounds
National Stoma Care Nursing Education Program
Where
India
Who
Applicant: International Ostomy Association (IOA)
Partners:
World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET)
Association of Surgeons of India (ASI)
When
February 2010 - January 2013
Objective
Increase the level of knowledge and strengthen the skills and experience within
stoma care. We aim to improve patient's quality of life by providing
professional stoma care management and thereby reduce the chances of ostomy
complications. This will increase the status and recognition of stoma care
nurses in India
Results
4,500 nurses will complete a theoretical online stoma care education program
and 1,400 nurses will be educated in stoma care both in theory and practice
Spinal Cord Injury workshop
Where
India
Who
Applicant: Spinal Cord Society - Indian chapter
Partners:
International Spinal Cord Society (ISCOS)
Asian Spinal Cord Network
World Health Organisation
When
1 October 2010 - 3 October 2010
What
A 3-day workshop on the basic principles of SCI-management before the ISCOS
Annual Scientific Meeting
Objective
In India, approximately 1.5 million people live with a Spinal Cord Injury.
Every year 10,000 new cases are added to this group (Source: Spinal Cord
Society).
The project aims at raising awareness about and drive progress for people living
with spinal cord injuries.
Results
Healthcare professionals will be trained in spinal cord injuries. The
participants will raise awareness about SCI in their local environment
