NGO #15813

Diabetes Palestine (DP) Association
DP is a not-for-profit health organization established in Jerusalem in 2005 and registered with the Palestinian National Authority. DP is registered to provide services in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza area. DP has an independent elected board of governance consisting of nine members representing different sectors and communities.
The primary objective of DP is to support individuals with diabetes, communities, and those at risk of developing diabetes in Palestine, in collaboration with all healthcare providers, local communities, and NGOs operating in the field.
Specific objectives of Diabetes Palestine are:
1. Promote primary health care principles and focus on prevention strategies for diabetes;
2. Provide preventive and curative services to diabetes patients and high-risk groups and facilitate access to such services;
3. Support studies and research in the field of diabetes in cooperation with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other organizations working in the field of diabetes;
4. Provide on-the-job capacity building and training for front-line health professionals working in the field;
5. Network with other organizations and cooperate with stakeholders working in the field, and;
6. Create popular and community-based groups and friends to support the Association's goals and objectives.

Since its establishment, DP has been working in close partnership and cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) to address the enormous need for a high-quality and comprehensive care program in the Palestinian health system, improve diabetes care, help in adopting best practices in diabetes management and prevention of complications. The program reflects the core values and the strong commitment of the Diabetes Palestine Association towards the rights of the poor and oppressed people/communities to receive health care and other basic human needs in dignity.
Diabetes Palestine created a new and unique model of diabetes care and prevention in the community known as the “Diabetes Comprehensive Care Model – DCCM.” DCCM replaces the prevailing physician-centered approach in the Palestinian healthcare system, where patients only see their physicians to renew their medication prescriptions. The DCCM involves modifying the existing treatment procedures and unifying best practices into a protocol and a holistic approach to diabetes care focused on the whole person, which takes into consideration and is oriented to the local context and focuses on Palestine. The DCCM ushers in a new, innovative approach where the patient plays a central and active role in the diabetes care plan. The DP team helps patients adopt a healthier lifestyle, including physical activity and exercise, nutrition, weight control, and smoking cessation. The team also provides foot care, eye care, individual and group counseling, standardized diabetes laboratory testing, and patient, family, and community education regarding diabetes care and prevention of complications, in addition to home visits. Diabetes Palestine is a reliable national resource, training, and evidence-based center for the Palestinian healthcare system reform.
Currently, Diabetes Palestine Association operates a specialized Type 1 Diabetes Clinic in Hebron. The clinic serves as a vital resource for children and adolescents living with Type 1 diabetes, along with their families. A multidisciplinary team, including physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and psychosocial support professionals, delivers comprehensive care tailored to the needs of young patients. To date, the clinic has registered approximately 350 patients, including around 100 children and adolescents diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Many of these young patients struggle with poor glycemic control, placing them at increased risk of hypoglycemia and long-term complications.
To better support this vulnerable group, Diabetes Palestine is seeking to provide continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices for those with the most critical needs. These devices will empower patients and their families to track blood glucose trends in real-time, enabling early intervention and better self-management. Moreover, access to such technology will allow our clinical team to design more effective, individualized treatment plans and improve long-term outcomes.