Novo Nordisk Completes Landmark Diabetes Affordability Project
Diabetes is a serious chronic disease with a prevalence rate of 10.2 percent in adults in Thailand, and the number of people living with diabetes rose by 300,000 in 2023. To compound the issue, there are many unmet needs as almost 14 percent of those diagnosed are not being treated. The three-year Affordability Project therefore focused on enhancing access to quality care, improving diagnostic measures, and training healthcare professionals (HCPs) across the nation.
The project's highlights include:
Screening success: The project has screened 53,000 individuals across 13 health zones in 21 provinces, exceeding initial targets and broadening diabetes detection efforts in underserved populations.
HCPs training: A total of 7,000 HCPs were trained, aimed at adopting effective diabetes management practices. This training reached more than 2,200 hospitals nationwide, including practical workshops tailored to enhance patient care with more than 15,000 patients who received care from trained HCPs to help control their average blood sugar (HbA1c) levels.
Glucose Control Initiative: The intensive glucose control programme enrolled 5,000 people living with diabetes, achieving remarkable results. Almost 70 percent of them reduced their HbA1c levels in every visit, with 28 percent reaching their treatment goals.
Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, MD, Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, stated: 'Healthcare professionals have always been central to the effective treatment of diseases that require integrated care, such as diabetes. The Affordability Project is an example of how the public sector can collaborate with our partners in the private sector to enhance expertise for better patient care.'
Dr Jinda Rojanamatin, MD, Director of Rajavithi Hospital, remarked: 'Rajavithi Hospital has been the primary institution to implement the project over the past three years. With our resources and expertise, the hospital has integrated the treatments for cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes.'
Ms Selina Christodoulakis, Director of Market Access and Public Affairs at Novo Nordisk Thailand, emphasised the rationale behind the project: 'Through the Affordability Project, we have made significant strides in making diabetes care more accessible and effective for the Thai population. By partnering with stakeholders across health systems in public sector to build integrated diabetes solutions that support healthcare professionals and improve the lives of people living with diabetes, we are collectively driving change for better health outcomes in Thailand.'
With diabetes estimated to cost the Thai economy more than 375 billion THB, accounting for over 2.2 percent of the Thai GDP, the impact of the project transcends improved health outcomes. Effective blood glucose control has been linked to a reduction in severe complications related to diabetes, which can ultimately lead to substantial long-term savings in Thai healthcare costs.
The event also featured the Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Clinic (CRM) at Rajavithi Hospital, aimed at elevating the standards of integrated care for NCDs, including the complications of obesity, diabetes, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases, built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 77,400 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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