Jordan Diabetes Micro-Clinics Project
“The Challenge”
According to the International Diabetes Federation, the global diabetes epidemic has the potential to become one of the greatest health catastrophies the world has seen. A key Middle Eastern country, Jordan’s economy and health care infrastructure are presently bearing the burdens of regional instability, the tremendous influx of Iraqi refugees, significant levels of poverty and unemployment, and a growing diabetes epidemic. The high prevalence of diabetes in Jordan and the greater Middle East calls for an economically feasible national plans for the management and prevention of diabetes and its complications.
“The Opportunity”
The Global Micro-Clinic Project, founded by a former UC Berkeley undergraduate establishes a model of community- owned and managed “micro-clinics” that provide access to health care in impoverished and/or war-torn contexts. The micro-clinic model introduces hands-on educational strategies and simple tools to empower individuals in such communities to proactively manage their health. Each micro-clinic (MC) consists of a small group of diabetic or “at-risk” individuals connected as friends, family or neighbors, who choose to form a MC based on mutual need and interest. Members are provided with training and education by medical professionals, and meet together to share access to simple, inexpensive medical technologies, like glucose monitors, in a designated home or business location. (Above: Micro-Clinic participants have their blood sugar levels tested. Credit: D. Zoughbie)
The Global Micro-Clinic Project, founded by a former UC Berkeley undergraduate establishes a model of community- owned and managed “micro-clinics” that provide access to health care in impoverished and/or war-torn contexts. The micro-clinic model introduces hands-on educational strategies and simple tools to empower individuals in such communities to proactively manage their health. Each micro-clinic (MC) consists of a small group of diabetic or “at-risk” individuals connected as friends, family or neighbors, who choose to form a MC based on mutual need and interest. Members are provided with training and education by medical professionals, and meet together to share access to simple, inexpensive medical technologies, like glucose monitors, in a designated home or business location. (Above: Micro-Clinic participants have their blood sugar levels tested. Credit: D. Zoughbie)
(Global Micro-Clinics Website)
“The Response”
The Global Micro-Clinic Project aims to develop a national health care strategy for diabetes management to reduce poverty and increase economic growth. The GMCP will also be a unique opportunity for students across the University of California system to engage in multidisciplinary project teams that focus on poverty reduction, health promotion, and academic and research cross-fertilization in the global arena. If successful, the GMCP will serve as a basis for the creation of innovative health care infrastructure and poverty reduction models for developing economies and an opportunity to engage the power of interdisciplinary collaboration within the University of California system for the promotion of global health.
Eva Harris, Associate Dean, School of Public Health UC Berkeley (Principal Investigator)
Ananya Roy, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, International & Area Studies, Associate Professor, City & Regional Planning
Stephen Shortell, Dean, School of Public Health
Collaborators
Kathleen Watson, COO and SVP,The Global Micro-Clinic Project
Daniel Zoughbie, Founder, CEO and President, The Global Micro-Clinic Project
Participating Students
2007 GMCP Clausen Fellow: Nancy Bui, MPH Candidate, School of Public Health
2008 GMCP Ojjeh-Kamal Fellows: TBD
2008 GMCP Lifchez Fellow: TBD
Partnering Organizations
The Global Micro-Clinic Project
World Diabetes Foundation
Geographical Focus
Jordan