Diabetes and Hypertension Prevention and Management Program

In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health of the Dominican Republic and the World Diabetes Foundation, we strengthen primary care services and systems in the first-level centers of Health Region II in the country.

The Diabetes and Hypertension Management Program is a multilateral initiative organized and executed by Health Horizons International, in active collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Dominican Republic and the World Diabetes Foundation. The program aims to strengthen comprehensive management and the quality of primary care services for the population affected by diabetes and hypertension in Health Region II of the Dominican Republic. This includes implementing promotion, education, and prevention strategies for populations identified with risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and/or type 2 diabetes (DMII), or those living with these conditions.

The program has the following objectives:

  • Conduct a baseline survey of the health situation regarding non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with a focus on diabetes, in Region II. This includes assessing the general population, diagnosed diabetic patients, and their comprehensive management in primary care facilities.
  • Train health personnel (doctors, nurses, and health promoters) to improve the comprehensive management of people with diabetes at the first level of care. This also includes training for the supervision and monitoring of personnel at various levels in Region II (Zone Coordinators, Area Managers, Provincial Directors, Central Regional Team, and those in charge of Chronic Disease programs).
  • Support regional authorities in identifying and geographically locating the population affected by diabetes within the context of the first level of care in Region II of Health of the Dominican Republic.
  • Assist the National Program for Chronic Diseases in establishing a supervision and monitoring system for chronic disease programs, both in the primary care network and in collective health through the Regional Health Service II and the Provincial Health Directorates.
  • Educate and sensitize the general population and high-risk groups in Region II about the prevention of diabetes, as well as the adoption of healthy lifestyles.
  • Establish fifteen selected first-level health facilities in the Province of Puerto Plata, which have been part of the first phase of the project, to function as Model Centers for the region.