The Department of Sanitat has signed a collaboration agreement with the Novo Nordisk company for the development of activities and projects aimed at improving the health of patients with diabetes, a disease that in the Valencian Community affects 14 percent of the population.

According to data from the Valencia 2010 study, in addition to those affected by diabetes, 33 % of people suffer from some alteration of glucose metabolism, with high risk of becoming diabetes, according to a statement from Generalitat.

The objective of the agreement signed today focuses on promoting activities in the fields of research, prevention and health education in a way that they work together in projects to improve the health of people suffering from this pathology.

Novo Nordisk is an entity that is dedicated to the research, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical specialties, having among its objectives the innovation and improvement of the knowledge of diabetes and the living conditions of the patients.

As highlighted by the Minister of Sanitat, Manuel Llombart, the Valencian Community has 23 diabetes units, and since 1996 Health has the "permanent commitment to patients suffering from this pathology since the creation of the first diabetes plan, which waspioneer".

At present, said Manuel Llombart, "we are finalizing the implementation of the III Community Diabetes Plan" and for a year the Pacient Actiu program has been working for a year.

This last program includes a training project based on the Standford methodology, and focuses on education for the self -care of patients with chronic diseases, and in which patients with diabetes actively participate.

According to the Minister, in April it will be carried out in the health departments of Sagunto, La Fe, Xátiva and Elda The workshop is "Diabetes Management" aimed at patients with type II diabetes.

It is a training program that allows patients with diabetes to be those who form other patients with this same pathology in self -care.EFE