About
The Afghanistan Diabetes Association (AfDA) was established in 2005 by a group of Afghan physicians, with the support of Novo Nordisk.
All stakeholders of diabetes control and management in Afghanistan have gathered under AfDA for the best possible control, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes in the country. With the establishment of a democratic and elected government in Afghanistan, the need for the establishment of an association for control and care of diabetes became a top priority.
AfDA is a non-governmental, non-political and national organisation registered as a legal entity with the Afghan Ministry of Justice. The aim of AfDA is to bring all stakeholders of diabetes control and care in Afghanistan under one flag and to become the flagship in the battle against diabetes in the country. AfDA belongs to everyone in Afghanistan – doctors, pharmacists or health workers and people with diabetes. The Board of Directors of AfDA consists of 11 doctors and hundreds of people with diabetes have become members of the association.
Main Focus
- Creating public awareness
- Providing training to healthcare professionals
- Helping the Afghan Ministry of Public Health in creating a strategy to fight diabetes in Afghanistan
Activities
- Public awareness on diabetes to all ethnic groups in Afghanistan through mass media, pamphlets, leaflets, seminars and workshops.
- Working closely with Afghan Ministry of Health to include diabetes in the basic health package.
- Coordination of diabetes care and control in Afghanistan.
- Massive public awareness on the prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and complications of diabetes in Afghanistan. Programmes include awareness on obesity, dietary modifications and emphasis on exercise, recognition of early symptoms and emphasis on prevention of diabetes rather than treatment.
One important aspect of AfDA activity is the provision of training possibilities for Afghan doctors in-country and overseas. AfDA is very keen to establish links with diabetes associations in other countries and ensure that the association becomes a full and active member of the international community dealing with various aspects of diabetes care and control in Afghanistan.