First nat’l digital registry for diabetes patient

Staff Correspondent: Nationwide electronic diabetes patient registry system has been introduced for the first time in the country with an aim to deliver quality care for patient living with diabetes through analysing epidemiology and treatment outcomes.

The digitized registry will be implemented through the institutions of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS) and its affiliated associations across the country with the support of Novo Nordisk.

BADAS President Prof A K Azad Khan and Novo Nordisk's Senior Vice-President Frederik Kier signed an agreement to develop the registry in the capital on Sunday.

"It is truly a historic occasion. It is a dream come true," said Prof A K Azad Khan at the ceremony.

He said Dr Mohammed Ibrahim, founder of the association, wanted to establish an electronic database but it did not materialise because of fund constraints among other reasons.

"Now the national electronic patient registry will open up a possibility of understanding of cares," he said, adding that now data can be shared, analysed, and used to strengthen the fight against diabetes.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, 69 lakh people are living with diabetes in Bangladesh and it will hit 1.37 crore by 2045.

Frederik Kier said they believe 7 million patients are not the exact number. So, the national electronic patient registry will offer a quality management system to better diabetes treatment.

"The new nationwide registry will provide health outcome data to monitor patient needs and identify health problems that need prompt attention. It will also help to address the rising burden of diabetes to achieve sustainable development goals," he added.

At present, patient data are registered manually and if any patient loses it, the record goes along with it. But the electronic database will help patients avail treatment anywhere in the country.

risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 17, 2017/Shaon/AI