IDF and Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of the Sanofi group, have entered into a partnership to help tackle the rising burden of diabetes in Nigeria and Ghana.
Diabetes affects over 460 million people worldwide and is among the top 10 global causes of death. In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 19 million people are living with diabetes, 60% of which are undiagnosed. Unless action is taken, the total number is projected to reach 47 million by 2045. Many people living with diabetes in the region lack regular access to diabetes medicines and care. This is aggravated by a shortage of trained healthcare professionals to help diagnose the condition early and provide the necessary management, treatment and support.
The IDF-Sanofi partnership will provide healthcare professionals in Nigeria and Ghana with training in diabetes care through the IDF School of Diabetes online educational platform. A total of 850 primary care physicians, general practitioners, nurses and pharmacists will be trained over a two-year period.
“This partnership aligns with our ambition to reverse the course of the chronic disease pandemic by 2030. Capacity building for healthcare professionals is crucial to reversing the course of the diabetes pandemic and we are proud to work with IDF towards accelerating access to diabetes care for people affected,” said Dr. Philip Ikeme, Sanofi General Medicines Head of Medical Nigeria-Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The sub-Saharan African Region is set to register the largest increase in the number of people living with diabetes over the next twenty years. IDF is committed to supporting countries in the Region to improve the knowledge and skills of health professionals on the front line of the diabetes response,” said Prof. Andrew Boulton, President of IDF. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Sanofi in Nigeria and Ghana and extend the reach of our online training programme to promote early diagnosis and improve diabetes management and treatment.”
The online training programme in Nigeria and Ghana is supported by the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON), the Diabetes Endocrine & Metabolic Society of Ghana (DEMSoG), the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM FHI Sector) – and the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN). The programme is also endorsed by the Ghana Medical Association and accredited by the Ghana Medical and Dental Council.
