IGNOU launches course on diabetes

Updated on: Monday, July 20, 2009

New Delhi: With the aim to equip people with skills to take care of diabetes patients, the Indira Gandhi National Open University has launched a certificate programme in 'Diabetes Care for Community Workers'.

"The programme, the first such initiative by any university in India, aims to equip the common people with the skills to manage the disease better," said IGNOU spokesperson Surojit Mahalanobis.

The programme has been developed to build up a community level workforce to work in diabetic clinics and health centres. It is expected to start in the session beginning this month.

According to a UN survey, Diabetes, which cannot be cured but can be managed through lifestyle changes, proper diet and medication, has caused about 3.8 million deaths worldwide in
2007, about six per cent of total global mortality, about the same as HIV/AIDS.

"The programme will give information about diabetes mellitus, its management and complications and prevention. It will help the workers to learn various skills for assessment and care of the diabetic patient and their family members," Mahalanobis said.

The programme is open to students who passed 10+2, preferably with science. Theory and practical courses will be conducted at study centres which may include a general district/tertiary hospital or private hospitals with a diabetic clinic or OPD facilities or school of nursing.

IGNOU launches course on diabetes

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