A year ago, the Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Cancer Program of Socios En Salud began working with the Centro Materno Infantil (CMI) México to evaluate the gaps in the care of people with diabetes and hypertension. The team identified shortcomings such as lack of resources, inadequate infrastructure and insufficient space to provide comprehensive and dignified care.
“CMI Mexico has a large infrastructure gap,” acknowledges Dr. Ivette Madrid, head of this health facility located in the district of San Martin de Porres, north of Lima. “Sometimes doctors had to attend in areas such as the passageways or the oxygen plant.”
Today, that reality is beginning to change. Thanks to a joint effort between the Directorate of Integrated Health Networks (DIRIS) of North Lima, of the Ministry of Health (MINSA), Socios En Salud and WCC Mexico, this health center now has a specialized NCD module. A new space that will allow more than 800 people with diabetes, hypertension and obesity in San Martin de Porres to access specialized and continuous care, reducing the risk of developing serious complications.
It will also reduce the waiting time in scheduling an appointment, as Dr. Curie Cruzado, DIRIS Lima Norte’s NCD Strategy Coordinator, points out. “This module even attends on Sundays. People who work and cannot come during the week will also receive attention,” she points out.
Gracias al esfuerzo conjunto de DIRIS Lima Norte y Socios En Salud, el equipo médico del CMI México cuenta ahora con una infraestructura adecuada para atender a personas con enfermedades crónicas como diabetes e hipertensión.
Foto de Julio López / SES
Diabetic Foot: the key is in prevention and timely treatment
The specialized module at WCC Mexico has two main areas: office and topical. “In the office area, the DIRIS Lima Norte has hired an endocrinologist, which is unprecedented,” highlights Diana Huamán, professional of the NCD and Cancer Program of Socios En Salud. “This pilot of the DIRIS itself will evaluate the effectiveness of the specialized approach at the first level of care.”
For its part, the topical area is designed to detect early peripheral neuropathy in people with diabetes, a condition that can cause damage to the nerves of the foot and favor the development of diabetic foot. This complication manifests itself with loss of sensitivity and decreased circulation, which increases the risk of infections, ulcers and, in severe cases, amputations.
This is thus a fundamental space for North Lima, considering that between 2023 and June 2024 it positioned itself as one of the areas with the highest prevalence of diabetes in Peru by registering more than 2,900 cases. In addition, MINSA figures indicate that, each year, around 8,000 amputations are performed on people with diabetes in Metropolitan Lima.
Preventing this type of complications requires a comprehensive approach that combines diagnosis, treatment and education. Hence, in addition to the endocrinologist, the WCC Mexico’s specialized module team includes a nutritionist, a psychologist, a dentist and nursing technicians focused on the care of people with chronic diseases.
Continuity and collaboration for lasting impact
The alliance between Socios En Salud, DIRIS Lima Norte and WCC Mexico seeks to foster a replicable model in other health centers in Lima and the country. With the aim of reconnecting people with diabetes who have abandoned their treatment with their treatment, this initiative plans to continue until November 2025.
“We will contact patients so that they can resume their medical care, ensuring adherence to treatment and preventing serious complications,” says Huamán.
The module will make it possible to document relevant data on the impact of specialized care at the primary care level. This will generate evidence that will facilitate the replication of the model in other regions, reinforcing the primary care approach in the country. Beyond improving access to treatment for people with chronic diseases, this space represents an advance in health care in northern Lima. A firm step towards a more accessible and preventive health system.
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