Integrating DR services into Diabetes Services

Cost-effective interventions for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) exist but screening and treatment programmes are not regularly implemented in the African region, leaving people at risk of blindness.

Realistic interventions for the condition need to consider the existing health system and how DR services can be provided within it to be successful.

This research will mathematically model how to integrate DR screening and treatment into the health system in Malawi, where 500,000 people with diabetes require services.

The model will be able to inform the DR interventions that deliver the highest health gains to the population and showcase how and where DR services should be implemented within existing diabetes services. This will provide policymakers and planners an evidence-based and validated guideline for the inclusion of DR services in the national health strategy.

The aim of the study is to improve outcomes for people with diabetes in Malawi, while providing a template for other low and middle-income countries, where DR services are often not currently routine. The results could mean that thousands of people avoid unnecessary sight loss, instead continuing to work, care for their family and enjoy life.

Acknowledgements: Our partners for the project are the Malawi Ministry of Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) and Imperial College London.