Prevention of diabetes through religious leaders (Imams)

  • The objectives of the program 1) organize training program on healthy lifestyle for the prevention and care of diabetes and other NCDs for religious leaders (Imams) in Bangladesh, 2) introduce diabetes corners in religious places (Mosques) and 3) improve community awareness on healthy lifestyle for prevention and care of diabetes and other NCDs through religious leaders.
  • Study patterns: Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Islamic Foundation, Ministry of Religious Affairs; and Non-Communicable Disease Control Program of Directorate General of Health Services of Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh. 
  • Target people: Religious leaders (Imams) and Community people 
  • Study period: 24 months
  • Study site: 100 Upazilas in Bangladesh 
  • Study duration: June 2018 – October 2020
  • Funding: WDF
  • Not only the prevention of diabetes and other NCDs, this study will also help to meet SDG goals 1, 3, 5, 11. 
  • website: cghr-badas.org/imam

Activities (Phase I)

  1. One hundred (100) religious leaders (Imam) received intensive training on healthy lifestyle for the prevention and care of diabetes and other NCDs. 
  2. One hundred (100) diabetes corners establish in 100 Mosques in Dhaka division near to BADAS outpatients’ clinics. 
  3. Developed education toolkits including booklets (15,000), leaflets (20,000), posters (6000), flip chart (150), training manuals (300), stand banners (110), round board banners (110).
  4. Three (3) television and Three (3) radio talk shows arranged for improving community awareness.
  5. Develop and mobile helpline for improving awareness and patient’s compliance.
  6. One documentary film developed for community awareness.
  7. One mobile network established between Imams and Project office of BADAS for information sharing and data collection.
  8. Two hundred (200) Medical and Nursing Students from 3 Medical Colleges and 2 Nursing Colleges of BADAS will be participated in two (2) advocacy meeting during project periods.
  9. Around fifty thousand (50,000) people will receive screening and education services from these corners. 
  10. More than five (5) million general people will receive information on healthy lifestyle for the prevention and care of diabetes and other NCDs through religious leaders (Imams).
  11. One (1) dissemination program will be organized after completion of the project to present and discuss the results among the stakeholders in Bangladesh, policy makers and donor agency.

Phase II

  • A total of 500 religious’ leaders (Imam) will receive intensive training on healthy lifestyle for the prevention and care of diabetes and other NCDs; and 500 diabetes corners will be established at least one corner in each Upazila of Bangladesh. 
  • After completion of training program, trained Imams role will be to advocate, promote and encourage on healthy lifestyle for the prevention and care of diabetes and other NCDs through religious sermon (Khutbah) usually during congregation prayer on Friday.
  • Facilities including blood glucose testing by glucometer, blood pressure – and weight measurement and educational materials on healthy lifestyle will be available in each diabetes corner.
  • We launch a service package for the sustainability of the project. From every client, Imam will charge 40 BDT for capillary blood glucose tests, measurement of blood pressure and body weight. Along with this program, we will also do free diabetes screening of 2,00,000 people. 
  • Not only the prevention of diabetes and other NCDs, this study will also help to meet SDG goals 1, 3, 5, 11.