Evidence is urgently needed from complex emergency settings to support efforts to respond to the increasing burden of diabetes mellitus (DM). Médecins Sans Frontières conducted a qualitative study of a new model of DM health care (Integrated Diabetic Clinic within an Outpatient Department [IDC-OPD]) implemented by MSF in Mweso Hospital in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The paper aimed to explore patient and provider perspectives on the model in order to identify factors that may support or impede it. The study concludes that the importance of community awareness of DM and the value of treatment support, including psychosocial and educational support to DM patients and their families, and culturally sensitive, low-cost dietary advice, to ensuring the adoption and maintenance of DM treatment.
