Government of Goa has announced renewal of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continue the ongoing ‘Changing Diabetes Barometer’ (CDB) programme with Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF), a non-profit organisation set up by Novo Nordisk India.

The ceremony was presided by Minister of Health, Government of Goa, Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane; Secretary Health, Government of Goa, Arun Kumar Mishra; Director-Health Services, Government of Goa, Dr Geeta Kakodkar; Managing Trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation, Vikrant Shrotriya; Dean of Goa Medical College, Dr S M Bandekar and Counsellor (Health), Royal Embassy of Denmark, Louise Sevel Lundstrom among several other dignitaries. 

As part of the revised MoU, the state’s first-ever foot care clinic for people living with diabetes will also be developed in addition to continued diabetes awareness, screening and medical education and training programs for healthcare professionals and caregivers.

The CDB programme was launched over a decade ago by the state government to create awareness and support around diabetes care and capacity building in the state.

As part of this MoU, the state government and NNEF will continue the ongoing public-private collaboration to develop robust community diabetes centres along with Goa Medical College, district hospitals and sub-district hospitals. A foot-care clinic will also be established in the existing government healthcare unit.

Emphasising on the importance of educating more people and making them aware of the concerns and complications associated with diabetes, 15 diabetes educators will be available for home visits and expert counselling on diet, exercise and general wellbeing for the people living with diabetes across Goa. Moreover, four mega diabetes camps will be organised over a period of three years for increasing awareness and diabetes screening in the state. Focus will also be given to developing a capacity building model via 360-degree training for state doctors and diabetes experts.