A three-year initiative aimed at combating diabetes in Saint-Louis has concluded, with organizers reporting significant progress in addressing the disease within the city. The project, funded by the World Diabetes Foundation and running from March 2023 to March 2026, exceeded expectations across all key indicators, according to those involved.
Dr. Ibou Guèye, a physician with the Saint-Louis Health District, stated, “For all indicators, we exceeded 100%. This project has had a incredibly positive impact on the fight against diabetes in Saint-Louis.” He emphasized the success of community engagement through communication efforts, noting they “bore fruit.”
The program was implemented by Humanité & Inclusion (HI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Action, the Health Sciences Unit of the University of Gaston Berger (UGB), the Saint-Louis Regional Hospital, and the local diabetes association.
Despite the positive results, concerns remain about the prevalence of diabetes in the region. Dr. Philippe Manyacka, a researcher and surgeon at the regional hospital and a professor at UGB, urged continued support for the program. “We must not stop on such a good path. Recent surveys have shown that the rate of diabetes prevalence in the department of Saint-Louis is much higher than the national average,” he said.
Abdoulaye Lom, the project manager for HI, expressed his satisfaction with the outcomes. He thanked the World Diabetes Foundation “for trusting us during these two phases” and all other partners involved. The success of the project underscores the importance of continued international support for public health initiatives in the region.
Lom also highlighted ongoing challenges and advocated for sustained funding. “The challenges are still there,” he said. “The entire region is not covered. If we are fortunate enough to receive further support, it will allow us to expand throughout the region, and even across the entire national territory.”
Throughout the project, training, awareness campaigns, and research initiatives were conducted, generating valuable data on diabetes in Saint-Louis and confirming the city’s status as a significant area of concern for the disease.
