About
Diabetes Palestine was established in Jerusalem and is registered in the Palestinian National Authority.
The association aims to care for people with diabetes, communities and people at risk in Palestine, in cooperation and coordination with care providers working in the field.
Mission:
To promote diabetes prevention and comprehensive care for individuals and communities at risk, provide education and training, support research, and advocate for policies and awareness that improve the health and well-being of people affected by diabetes in Palestine.
Vision:
To promote a healthier Palestine by preventing diabetes, optimising care, strengthening health systems, and reducing the diabetes impact on individuals and communities through evidence-based education, community engagement, research, and advocacy.
Objectives:
- Promoting primary health care principles and focus on prevention strategies for diabetes.
- Providing preventive, management, and follow-up services to people with diabetes and high-risk groups and facilitate access to such services.
- Supporting studies and research in the field of diabetes in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and other organisations working in the field of diabetes.
- Providing on-the-job capacity building and training for frontline health professionals working in the field.
- Networking with other organisations and cooperating with stakeholders working in the field.
- Creating broad, popular and community-based groups to support the Association’s goals and objectives.
Diabetes Palestine has adopted a unique model of diabetes care and prevention in the community known as the “Diabetes Comprehensive Care Model – DCCM.” DCCM replaces the prevailing physician-centered approach in the Palestinian healthcare system, where people with diabetes only see their physicians to renew their medication prescriptions. DCCM involves modifying the existing treatment procedures and unifying best practices into a protocol and holistic approach to diabetes care focused on the whole person, which takes into consideration and is oriented to the local context and focus in Palestine. It ushers in a new, innovative approach where the person plays a central and active role in their diabetes care plan.
Main Focus
Diabetes Palestine designs and implements programmes aimed at strengthening the diabetes response and ensuring care for all individuals living with diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Its work focuses on the following key areas:
- Community-based awareness, prevention, screening and care with a focus on high-risk and underserved populations.
- Health education and capacity-building for healthcare providers to improve the quality, consistency and sustainability of diabetes care.
- Policy advocacy to enhance non-communicable disease (NCD) services and promote equitable access to essential medicines, diagnostics, and appropriate technologies
- Clinical and operational research to generate evidence that informs national strategies and supports effective, data-driven interventions.
- Diabetes Comprehensive Care Model (DCCM), which emphasises integrated, patient-centered care with a strong focus on continuity and long-term health outcomes.
Activities
Mobile Clinic Services
- Continued outreach through the Mobile Diabetes Team, providing free screening, consultations, and follow-up care in underserved areas of the Southern West Bank.
- Integrated blood pressure, eye, and foot care screening into mobile visits.
Community Awareness and Education Campaigns
- Diabetes awareness campaigns launched across multiple governorates.
- World Diabetes Day events organised in collaboration with local communities, schools, and health centers.
- Educational materials developed and distributed, on lifestyle modification, medication adherence, and early detection.
- Dedicated campaigns addressing stigma related to type 1 diabetes and marriage.
Capacity Building and Training
- Workshops for primary healthcare providers focused on updated diabetes guidelines and multidisciplinary care approaches.
- Participation of local professionals in local, regional, and international conferences on diabetes and NCD management in humanitarian settings.
- Participation in the NCD Alliance meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda (February 2025), in partnership with T1D.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement
- Collaboration withe Ministry of Health and civil society stakeholders to support the development and implementation of the national NCD strategy.
- Participation in regional and international advocacy forums on diabetes and NCD policies.
- Co-signature of a position paper composed by T1D ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health.
School-Based Health Interventions
- Promotion of healthy eating and physical activity through school-based extracurricular programmes and awareness sessions.
Research and Data Collection
- Publication of follow-up study on prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the southern West Bank, highlighting key trends and disparities in access to care.
- Community-based data collection to support the development of a national diabetes registry.
Partnerships and International Collaboration
- Collaborations with global diabetes networks, including IDF, EASD and other relevant platforms.
- Engagement with international stakeholders to promote best practices and knowledge exchange.
Diabetes in Humanitarian Settings
- Engagement in coordinated efforts with global and international partners to support diabetes care in Gaza.
- Delivery of humanitarian aid, including diabetes-related medications and supplies, to affected populations.
- Implementation of emergency projects and establishment of patient groups for virtual follow-up and remote care.
- Chaired the Humanitarian Committee of the IDF-MENA region, advocating for sustained support for diabetes in crisis settings.
Message from the President
The burden of diabetes is extremely high, impacting individuals, families, communities, health systems, and national economies across the globe. Fighting diabetes requires collective action and coordinated efforts at all levels to effectively confront this growing epidemic. Poverty, disasters, and conflicts significantly worsen the challenges faced by people living with diabetes, amplifying barriers to accessing insulin, medications, and essential testing supplies. It is therefore crucial that we are prepared with a strong, comprehensive response to protect the lives and well-being of those affected. At the same time, we must continuously explore innovative and context-sensitive solutions to better serve our communities. This includes investing in research and integrating emerging technologies, including digital innovation and artificial intelligence (AI), to strengthen the fight against diabetes. We also call for intensifying global advocacy efforts and shaping policies that support improved access to diabetes prevention, care, and treatment worldwide. Diabetes Palestine remains firmly committed to this cause. We will continue working at the local, national, regional, and global levels to support people living with diabetes and to contribute meaningfully to the global fight against this urgent public health challenge.