Santé Diabète in action
To develop strong public policies and sustainably strengthen the health system, the NGO works with all its partners to improve diabetes prevention and ensure quality care.
This innovative comprehensive approach is put into practice through six key components: prevention, access to care, therapeutic education, access to treatment, strengthening the role of civil society organizations, and advancing research initiatives.
Our areas of expertise
PRIMARY PREVENTION
Urbanization, change in eating habits, decrease in physical activity…. Overweight and obesity are realities in Africa (15% of women of childbearing age are obese). Raising awareness and encouraging changes in behavior to limit the occurrence of diabetes risk factors is at the heart of our mission.
STRENGTHENING THE CARE OFFER
For diabetes and its complications to be managed effectively, a strong and decentralized health system is essential. We train qualified health professionals in sufficient numbers and strengthen technical facilities, ensuring that people living with diabetes can access care and live with their condition wherever they are in our countries of operation.
Therapeutic education
The chronic nature of diabetes requires patients to take an active role in managing their own health to better control the disease and prevent complications. We train healthcare professionals in therapeutic education to empower people living with diabetes to manage their condition and their lives as effectively as possible.
SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH POLICIES
In order to integrate the prevention and management of diabetes into a sustainable framework, we work in close relationship with public institutions to facilitate its inclusion in national health policies (NCDs, nutrition, maternal and child health, etc.).
ACCESS TO MEDICINES
Les prix souvent prohibitifs et la faible disponibilité des molécules constituent un enjeu majeur en Afrique. En lien avec les Ministères de la santé et les pharmacies centrales, nous œuvrons pour faciliter l’accès aux traitements des patients.
DEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY GRADUATE TRAINING
High-quality initial training and regular continuing education for healthcare professionals are vital to strengthening the health system.
STRENGTHENING CIVIL SOCIETY
Patient and healthcare professional associations serve as a key local lever in building healthcare systems and combating diabetes in ways that meet both patients’ needs and national requirements. We support their development, helping them strengthen their mobilization, communication, and advocacy capacities so they can play a central role in the diabetes response.
Research
Through our field activities, we have access to a large amount of reliable data, which is essential for a better understanding of diabetes care in resource-limited settings and for building on pilot initiatives to combat diabetes in Africa. To leverage this knowledge, we develop numerous research projects in collaboration with healthcare institutions and professionals, universities, and international research centers.
ADVOCACY
Despite the burden that diabetes places on health systems and communities, the disease is largely overlooked in international development policies and in the funding strategies of major international aid donors. We contribute to raising awareness among these actors through strong advocacy efforts and by actively participating in the WHO’s global coordination mechanism for non-communicable diseases.
DIABETES HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Equality and solidarity in the face of disease are essential. Whether providing emergency aid to populations in northern Mali in 2012 or offering ongoing support to children with diabetes who lack access to care and insulin, we work to improve health for all, regardless of their life circumstances.
EDUCATION TO CITIZENSHIP & TO INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY
The causes of the diabetes surge in Africa are broadly similar to those observed in Europe: increased life expectancy, sedentary lifestyles, nutritional transition, and the rapid rise of overweight and obesity. Through the lens of diabetes, we develop activities to raise awareness among the French public about ongoing dynamics on the African continent, particularly in the health sector.
 Mali |  Burkina Faso |  Union of the Comoros |  France | International | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary prevention | |||||
| STRENGTHENING THE CARE OFFER | |||||
| Diabetes humanitarian response | |||||
| Therapeutic education | |||||
| Access to medication | |||||
| Strengthening of civil society | |||||
 Support for public health policies | |||||
| Education for citizenship and international solidarity | |||||
| Development of university diploma courses | |||||
| ADVOCACY | |||||
| Research |
Our action partners
We work in the countries where we operate together with all local partners:
- Ministries of Health
- Ministries of Higher Education and Research
- Ministries of Education
- Directorates General of Health - Section of noncommunicable diseases
- Regional health directorates (e.g. regional health directorate in the district of Bamako)
- Structures in charge of drug management (e.g. the People's Pharmacy of Mali and the Pharmacy and Medicine Directorate of Mali)
- National hospitals
- Regional hospitals
- Secondary health centers
- Primary health centers
- Faculties of Medicine
- Scientific societies
- Associations of people with diabetes
- Associations of healthcare professionals
- National NGOs
