Sir Michael Hirst, President, IDF

Five Questions with IDF's President

We put Sir Michael Hirst, IDF President, in the spotlight this quarter. Find out how he plans to increase the Federation’s presence around the globe and what past experiences have ignited and inspired his passion to tackle diabetes.

1. How did you become involved with diabetes?
My youngest child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of five, in 1985. I became aware of the shortcomings in treatment and care, and in particular the lack of disposable syringes and blood glucose monitoring strips on prescription in the UK. As a Member of Parliament, I was in a position to campaign for them.

Read more from Sir Michael

Message from Linda McGoldrick, interim CEO, IDF

My name is Linda McGoldrick and I am honoured to have been appointed as the Interim CEO of the International Diabetes Federation.

This is a tremendous time of change and opportunity in the world and I am inspired to champion the global voice of people with diabetes and the millions of people yet to be diagnosed.

Watch the full video

Spotlight on Guatemala

Guatemala's Patronato del Diabético was founded 47 years ago to serve as a diabetes medication bank. It is now an independent organisation that includes diagnostic and nutrition clinics, a laboratory and a pharmacy. We speak with Herbert A. Fernández Townson, President of the organisation about how it is facing-down challenges to diabetes care in Guatemala.

Read more about the organisation

Women and Diabetes: A World Apart

March marks International Women’s Day. Brandy Barnes of DiabetesSisters tells us about the challenges of being a woman with diabetes in the USA and Dr Kayal, based in Chennai, explains the obstacles to consistent and high-quality Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) care in India.

• Read Brandy's view from the USA

• Dr Kayal explains the challenges of GDM in India

Insulin for Brazil, made in Brazil

Brazil has the fifth highest number of people with diabetes in the world. In a landmark decision, the Brazilian government announced a plan to localize human insulin production by 2016, saving the country an estimated USD 392 million. Sergio Metzger, President of the IDF South and Central America Governing Task Force and Director of Institutional Relations for the Associação de Diabetes Brasil (ADJ) gives us more details.

Find out more from Sergio
 

Champion Charlie Kimball unites team for diabetes

IDF’s newest Blue Circle Champion, professional IndyCar racer, Charlie Kimball, has already made a mark as a recent Champion recruit. Kimball has managed to unite the Chip Ganassi Racing Team in support of people with diabetes everywhere. During the weekend of April 5-7, Kimball’s teammate Jamie McMurray and Kimball himself will sport “Race with Insulin” paint schemes to show that, with the right management plan and “team” support, people with diabetes can get their diabetes on track.

Read more about Charlie

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IDF News

Feet first in Africa

IDF estimates that one person every 20 seconds loses a limb to diabetes. Now a new multi-stakeholder initiative has been launched by the Federation, aimed at improving foot care for people with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. The Diabetes Africa Foot Initiative (DAFI) will develop a sustainable foot-screening programme.

Dr Evariste Bouenizabila and Dr Silver Bahendeka, Co-Chairs of the project, outline DAFI in more detail.

Tanzania, Mexico and Pakistan in the spotlight

The latest IDF Life for a Child Programme update is now available for download, with highlights from the programme’s work in Tanzania, Mexico and Pakistan. Life for a Child is going from strength to strength with over 10,000 children in 41 countries currently being supported.

Read the Life for a Child update

Building a model approach for GDM

Women with Gestational Diabetes in India Strategy (WINGS) is IDF’s first-ever strategy to tackle the rising incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). The WINGS pilot project aims to develop a Model Approach to Care in low-resource settings and is a joint collaboration between IDF and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in Chennai, India. The WINGS project is being implemented at an opportune time when the Indian government is starting to recognise the importance of early screening and management of GDM in reducing the burden of type 2 diabetes.

Read more about the WINGS project

Congress abstract and grant application now open

Abstract submission and grant application for the World Diabetes Congress in Melbourne opened on 1 February 2013 and will close on 22 April 2013. To submit an abstract or apply for a grant, you need to sign in to your congress profile. If you do not already have a profile, you will need to create a new one. Please note, to apply for a grant you must first submit an abstract. Read more

Calling all Young Leaders!

With the World Diabetes Congress fast approaching, the Young Leaders in Diabetes (YLD) programme is recruiting fresh talent from around the diabetes world. IDF Member Associations are invited to submit applications, selecting one or two participants from their country. A final selection of new YLD candidates will be made in advance of the YLD leadership training workshop and the World Diabetes Congress in Melbourne in December 2013. Read more
 

Diabetes on the agenda after 2015?

IDF’s advocacy campaign has stepped-up a gear to ensure diabetes is at the heart of the future development agenda after the current Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) expire in 2015. IDF strengthened its role as a thought leader within this process, with the Global Thematic Consultation on Health report reflecting many of IDF’s priorities and recommendations. Find out more

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