WHO Representative Visits Sinocare Foundation to Advance Global Diabetes Initiatives

On April 16, Dr. Aqsha Nur, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), visited the Hunan Sinocare Diabetes Foundation to exchange insights on global diabetes prevention and control, primary care empowerment, and innovative public health initiatives. The visit aimed to strengthen international collaboration and accelerate progress toward global diabetes health goals.

During the meeting, Dr. Jiangfeng Fei, Vice Chairman of the Foundation, and Secretary-General Li Wenjie presented the Foundation’s development and key programs. Established in 2019 as the first diabetes-focused foundation in mainland China, the Sinocare Foundation has built a comprehensive support network covering diverse patient groups and the full disease journey. Its initiatives include the “Sweet Kids” program for children with type 1 diabetes, the “Sweet Doctor Training Program” for primary healthcare professionals, school-based education campaigns, and support programs for gestational diabetes. By the end of 2025, the Foundation had served tens of thousands of beneficiaries and provided blood glucose screening services to over 110 million people through multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Dr. Jiangfeng Fei, Vice Chairman of the Sinocare Foundation, with Dr. Aqsha Nur, WHO representative (right), during a group photo

Dr. Aqsha Nur highly commended the Foundation’s impactful work. Drawing on his involvement in the WHO Global Diabetes Compact, he shared updates on global trends and WHO efforts, including guideline development, primary healthcare integration, and technical advisory initiatives. He emphasized that the growing global diabetes burden requires stronger primary care systems and public health support—an approach closely aligned with the Foundation’s mission.

He also highlighted the Foundation’s educational animation Sweet Diary, the first of its kind in China for type 1 diabetes awareness, now translated into English and Turkish and broadcast internationally. Dr. Nur invited the Foundation to participate in WHO-related international forums to share China’s experience and encouraged patient representatives to contribute firsthand perspectives to global guideline development. He noted the need for stronger representation from Asia in global diabetes discussions.

Dr. Aqsha Nur presents the latest trends in global diabetes prevention and control

Following the meeting, Dr. Nur visited the Foundation’s project exhibition area, gaining further insight into programs such as the “Sweet Camp” and the Type 1 Diabetes Educator Initiative. He praised the Foundation’s integrated approach—combining community support, material assistance, and professional guidance—as a valuable model for global replication.

Li Wenjie noted that the visit provided an important platform for international exchange and will help further enhance the Foundation’s programs through global collaboration. Looking ahead, the Foundation will continue to strengthen partnerships with WHO and other international organizations, focusing on patient support, primary care empowerment, and public education.

Li Wenjie, Secretary-General of the Sinocare Foundation, introduces the Foundation’s overview to Dr. Aqsha Nur

Dr. Nur reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to advancing global diabetes care and expressed interest in deepening collaboration with the Sinocare Foundation. Through shared resources and mutual learning, both sides aim to improve the effectiveness of diabetes prevention and management and move closer to the goal of equitable access to diabetes care worldwide.