Project HOPE Reports Public-Private Partnerships in China are Saving Lives

Global NGO Combating Chronic Diseases in Developing World for More Than a Decade

Washington, D.C., June 15, 2011

Project HOPE, a global health education and humanitarian assistance organization, reported its programs in China to prevent and manage diabetes through health provider training and patient education are working. However, Project HOPE also said that more education is needed to address other chronic diseases such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and stroke. The new research was presented at the annual conference of the Global Health Council in Washington, D.C.

“Chronic diseases pose a serious threat to the health of societies worldwide.  Project HOPE’s work in China, educating health care professionals in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and private partners, has improved the health of patients with diabetes,” said Ms. Lily Hsu, Director of  Shanghai Office of Project HOPE, a global health education and humanitarian assistance organization.

Since 1998, Project HOPE in partnership with the China Ministry of Health and corporate partners including BD, Eli Lilly and Company and Roche, more than 200,000 health care workers and patients have been trained in all of China’s provinces to prevent and better manage diabetes.

While progress has been made to address diabetes in China, Project HOPE also cited new research showing gaps for some chronic disease services, particularly in areas assessing cardiovascular disease and risk factors in urban and suburban Beijing and diabetes education in China’s rural and urban primary care centers, Ms. Hsu said.

“The prevalence of NCDs in China is increasing and it is important to share our valuable insight into the gaps in chronic disease services in China, as well as the lessons learned from our on-going NCD projects in the country.  There are important opportunities for Project HOPE’s future collaboration with China’s Ministry of Health, which can improve the health of millions in China,” said Ms. Hsu.

Chronic disease, or non-communicable diseases (NCDs)  have  been a primary focus of Project HOPE’s work for over ten years.

In China, the prevalence of chronic disease and risk factors are increasing, raising alarm bells in the region for more adequate care to address this crisis.  The World Health Organization says NDCs are the leading killer today, saying more than 63 percent of those who died worldwide in 2008 – more than 36 million people – were killed by NCDs.

Project HOPE has been involved in efforts to improve the health of communities in China for 28 years through a strong partnership with the Ministry of Health in addressing needs and advancing health professional training with the support of corporate partners.  China’s large population, diverse demography, and rapid economic development have had a major impact on the needs for and distribution of health care services.

Project HOPE is also showcasing more than a decade of NCD experience at a newly designed booth in the conference exhibit hall.  It highlights HOPE’s work at the hospital, community and school-based levels around the world, including Egypt, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, India, Mexico, China, United States,  Iraq.

Speakers on Project HOPE’s panel on “Public-private partnerships to improve chronic disease health services in China” on Friday, June 17, 11am-12:30pm, Diplomat Conference Room, Omnishore Hotel, Washington DC, are as follows:

• Dr. Zhenglong Lei, Deputy Director-General, Bureau of Disease Control, Ministry of Health (Non-communicable Disease Control in China)
• Ms. Chun Cai, Deputy Director, Division of Disease Control & Prevention and Maternal & Children Healthcare, Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau (Chronic Disease Prevention and control in Shanghai)
• Ms. Lily Hsu, Director of Project HOPE Shanghai Office (Improving Health Care Services and Self-Management of Chronic Diseases in China)
• Dr. Susan Xiao, Director of Project HOPE China Diabetes Education Program (Improving Diabetes Education and Care in China)
• Moderated by Susan Dentzer, Editor-in-Chief, Health Affairs

The Global Health Council is the world’s largest membership alliance of public health organizations and professionals working in more than 150 countries on six continents, dedicated to saving lives by improving health throughout the world.

The annual week-long GHC conference was attended by more than 2,000 global health practitioners, world leaders, activists, public and private organizations and academia.

About Project HOPE
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) is dedicated to providing lasting solutions to health crises, with the mission of helping people to help themselves. Identifiable to many by the SS HOPE, the world’s first peacetime hospital ship, Project HOPE now conducts land-based medical training and health education programs in 35 countries across five continents.