Primary prevention, early screening and diagnosis, and therapeutic management are the three pillars selected by the Ministry of Health on the occasion of World Diabetes Day, held this year under the slogan “Act Early Against Diabetes,” through a nationwide mobilization aimed at reaching at-risk populations, including in isolated areas.
Marking World Diabetes Day, observed annually on November 14, the Director General of Prevention and Health Promotion, Djamel Fourar, called for coordinating efforts around three complementary priorities, in an instruction addressed to Directors of Health and Population (DSP) as well as heads of public and private healthcare facilities.
The first focuses on primary prevention by reducing modifiable risk factors. The document notably cites “obesity, overweight, sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and tobacco.” The second centers on targeted screening, intended to “identify undiagnosed and silent cases before disabling complications emerge.” The third addresses therapeutic care and patient education immediately upon diagnosis confirmation, in order to preserve their quality of life and curb morbidity and mortality linked to the disease.
On the ground, public health directorates are tasked with mobilizing the local healthcare network, particularly polyclinics and health centers, to organize open-door days dedicated to blood glucose testing. Screening must prioritize individuals over 35 years old, those who are overweight or obese, hypertensive patients, and people with a family history of diabetes. Women who have experienced gestational diabetes are also included.
Furthermore, the initiative plans to reach beyond the walls of medical facilities. Mobile units will be deployed in “landlocked areas, shadow zones, or regions far from referral healthcare facilities,” so as to bring testing services closer to populations with limited access.
Workplaces and spaces frequented by young people are also on this campaign’s agenda. Awareness and blood sugar check points are scheduled in public administrations, universities, vocational training centers, and companies with high staff concentrations.
The campaign is also dedicated to raising awareness of primary warning symptoms, notably “frequent urination, excessive thirst, chronic fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.” Additionally, relevant health officials received directives to broadcast the slogan “Act Early Against Diabetes” across various communication channels, encouraging individuals displaying these signs to seek medical advice without delay.
From Screening to Medical Care
Moreover, as part of promoting prevention through health education, interactive workshops will advocate “a healthy and balanced diet,” low in refined sugars, saturated fats, and salt, alongside daily physical activity.
For newly diagnosed patients, counseling and listening sessions, involving their families if necessary, will encourage “immediate adherence to medical recommendations.” Special emphasis was placed on continuity of care through the directive specifying that following a positive screening result, a swift referral to the affiliated healthcare facility is arranged, where necessary tests for biological confirmation and tailored medical follow-up will be conducted. It was underscored that “this step is essential to prevent screening campaigns from stopping at detecting suspected cases without leading to effective treatment.” Within this framework, local officials are urged to anticipate facility supply needs. They must ensure the availability of glucometers, test strips, lancets, and laboratory reagents required for smooth operations.
The ministerial instruction also notes that mobilization could rely on local patient associations, provincial committees, medical learned societies, and community pharmacists. Local radio stations, regional press, and institutional digital platforms of the DSPs will be enlisted to disseminate prevention messages and activity schedules.
To guarantee monitoring of this operation, each DSP has been instructed to appoint a focal executive responsible for supervising and coordinating actions in their province. A quantitative and qualitative assessment will subsequently be submitted to the Directorate General of Prevention and Health Promotion no later than November 30. The report will notably detail the number of facilities mobilized, individuals screened, suspected cases referred, and communication initiatives carried out.
It should be noted that through this mobilization, the ministry intends to strengthen the entire intervention chain, from prevention to therapeutic support, making early diagnosis a decisive element in national prevention policy, aspiring to limit disease complications and improve monitoring for people living with diabetes.