The coordinator of Heath4Moz, Carla Rego, announced the launch of a comprehensive training program involving 252 Mozambican doctors. This initiative targets 160 doctors in Maputo, 55 in Nampula, and 37 in Sofala, aiming to enhance their theoretical and practical skills through daily sessions conducted in each province.
“During the planning of the training, it was evident that diabetes education is crucial in Mozambique due to its growing prevalence,” said Carla Rego in Maputo. She noted that there are only three diabetes specialists for nearly 35 million residents in the country, highlighting the urgent need for expanded healthcare training.
The training is led by three Portuguese doctors, part of a team from the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism and the Cooperation Department of the Portuguese Ministry of Health, coordinated by Heath4Moz. The program aims to equip Mozambican doctors with diagnostic skills and new treatment techniques for diabetes.
“This training responds to a request from the Mozambican Medical Association, which recognized the need for professional development among its medical staff,” stated Rego.
The initiative unfolds in two phases, with the first already completed digitally. Seven online sessions covered various topics related to health and nutrition, engaging approximately 800 healthcare professionals in Mozambique and facilitated by 12 Portuguese doctors.
Since 2013, Heath4Moz has actively cooperated with Mozambique in the health sector, providing training across diverse medical fields in collaboration with the Mozambican Medical Association and local healthcare units.
Gilberto Manhiça, the head of the Mozambican Medical Association, emphasized that these training sessions aim to improve healthcare services, equipping professionals with crucial new skills for patient care.
“Many patients suffer from limb amputations, vision loss, or kidney failure requiring dialysis. The associated costs, both hospital and personal, alongside family burdens and governmental expenses, are substantial,” explained Manhiça.
He further stressed the importance of educating doctors on managing diabetes effectively, to prevent severe complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and amputations.
“The goal is to empower physicians with the knowledge that diabetes doesn’t inevitably lead to blindness, amputations, or renal failure if managed correctly. Communicating this effectively and providing appropriate patient care are our priorities,” concluded Manhiça.
