Ongoing work
At CDRF, our methodology combines advanced clinical knowledge with grassroots outreach to effectively address the diverse spectrum of diabetes in Odisha. Our operational strategy is built around specialised programs that integrate prevention, comprehensive care, and capacity building.
1.National Update on Clinical Diabetes (NUCD)
The National Update on Clinical Diabetes (NUCD) is India’s premier academic gathering of medical practitioners in diabetes care. From the first NUCD in 2015 to the most recent edition in January 2025, the event has convened speakers of repute, thousands of delegates, and exhibitions featuring developments in diabetes medication. What separates NUCD from other conferences in diabetes care is its dedication to resolving physicians’ concerns with the clinical aspects of diabetes management and treatment, by highlighting issues in medical practice versus theory.
2.Continued Medical Education (CME)
CDRF places significant emphasis on CME to ensure that healthcare professionals are updated on the latest evidence-based protocols in diabetes management and complex care. These regular training sessions and workshops are vital for standardising treatment quality and improving patient outcomes across Odisha. The most recent and strategic initiative in this capacity-building effort was a specialised executive workshop conducted in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Affordable Surgical Care, held at the IIMA campus in Bhubaneswar.
3.World Diabetes Day Awareness
Each year, CDRF marks World Diabetes Day (November 14th) by organising high-impact community and professional awareness initiatives, including public walks and educational seminars. In 2023, the team visited public schools in Bhubaneswar to educate children on the critical importance of cultivating healthy eating and active lifestyle habits. Continuing this focus on prevention, our 2024 initiative centred on a specialised public event featuring a documentary film screening and public seminar addressing the significant health burden posed by the consumption of junk and processed foods.
4.Changing Diabetes in Children
CDRF and its technical partner, Dr. Kanungo’s Institute of Diabetes, serve as key implementation partners in Odisha for the global initiative, "Changing Diabetes in Children" (CDiC). This initiative is spearheaded globally by Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care. The CDiC program focuses on ensuring that children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), particularly those from vulnerable and low-income backgrounds. CDRF and KIDS are responsible for the on-ground execution of the program in Odisha, which includes the free and reliable distribution of insulin and blood glucose monitoring supplies.
Finished projects:
1.Community Outreach and Early Diagnosis
Our priority is identifying diabetes early to prevent costly and debilitating complications. We executed large-scale Community Diabetes Awareness and Screening Camps across targeted rural and urban areas. These initiatives lead to the detection of thousands of new cases annually. In the past years, over 9,500 new diabetes cases were identified in high-need districts, including Nayagarh, Keonjhar, Kendrapara, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, and Mayurbhanj.
2. Specialised Complication Management
We operated clinical units focused on preventing and treating the most severe complications of diabetes, which are major causes of disability in the region.
CDRF Eye Unit (Retinopathy and Vision Care): The LIC-CDRF-K.I.D.S. Diabetic Eye Department was established as a state-of-the-art facility, offering affordable and advanced ophthalmic services. The facility provided advanced treatment, including laser therapy to prevent vision loss, specialized retinal disease management, cataract surgery, glaucoma care, and LASIK.
Diabetic Foot Care Programme: Recognising diabetic foot complications as a significant cause of amputation, CDRF managed the comprehensive “Institutional Empowerment for Diabetic Foot-Care” project in collaboration with the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) and technical partners. The program establishes sustainable foot care systems across six vulnerable districts: Cuttack, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, and Ganjam.
3. Healthcare System Capacity Building
To ensure sustainable, decentralised care, we invest heavily in training frontline health workers who serve as the primary link to rural communities. We conducted intensive training for doctors, nurses, Anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers in the clinical management, counselling, and triage of diabetes cases. Over 600 frontline workers have been formally trained under this program, directly strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
4. Patient Empowerment and Integrated Wellness
The Diabetes Club was a support and educational model designed to promote proactive self-management. It empowered patients, their families, and community groups by facilitating knowledge-sharing, providing educational materials, and fostering the adoption of essential healthier practices. The inaugural club established in Rairangpur serves as a scalable model for community-led diabetes education across Odisha.
CDRF also supported an integrated approach to diabetes management by offering structured Yoga and Naturopathy programs. Led by trained instructors, these sessions are customised for diabetic patients to help manage blood glucose levels, reduce stress, and reinforce sustained lifestyle modifications.