Diabetes Support Club
In Dheisheh Refugee Camp, there is one UNRWA clinic; however, a large number of people suffer from diabetes, while the clinic does not sufficiently cover key areas such as health education, nutrition, healthcare services, and psychosocial support.
The Diabetes Health Club at Ibda’a Institution was established in 2007 to address the gaps in services provided by the UNRWA clinic for residents of Dheisheh Camp and the surrounding Bethlehem area who are living with diabetes. The project aims to empower diabetic patients to better manage their condition and enable them to lead a normal, active, and socially integrated life within their community.
The club is supervised by a committee consisting of eight male and female members with diverse skills and expertise that serve the project’s objectives. Among them are three members who themselves have diabetes, which gives the project a strong patient-centered perspective. New members are typically recruited through word of mouth (personal recommendations). Membership must be approved by the committee, after which members can participate in club activities and benefit from preferential rates offered by local healthcare partners.
The club also maintains an information board inside the medical center, which is updated weekly and includes details of past and upcoming programs, as well as general health information relevant to members. The project currently serves more than 200 patients, most of whom are between 30 and 60 years old. It also includes around 30 children who participate in special programs designed for them. In addition, up to 1,000 people benefit from the diabetes awareness and educational programs provided by the project.
Main Achievements of the Diabetes Club – Ibda’a Institution:
Establishment of the first organized community framework to support diabetes patients in Dheisheh Camp in 2007
Development of continuous awareness programs on healthy nutrition, diabetes management, and healthy lifestyle habits
Raising health awareness among hundreds of patients and their families inside and outside the camp
Implementation of psychological and social support activities to help patients cope with the disease
Organization of regular medical lectures and workshops in cooperation with local health institutions and specialists
Involvement of diabetes patients themselves in managing the program through the administrative committee, enhancing self-empowerment
Reaching approximately 1,000 beneficiaries through awareness campaigns and various health activities
Providing a pioneering community-based model for alternative healthcare and support within Palestinian refugee camps
The Diabetes Club at Ibda’a Institution is not only a health awareness program but also an integrated community support system aimed at creating a sustainable and practical change in patients’ lifestyles. The club focuses on building long-term health awareness among members through regular educational sessions covering proper nutrition, the importance of physical activity, blood sugar monitoring methods, and complication prevention. It also provides a safe space for interaction among patients to share daily experiences in managing the disease. Furthermore, the club promotes the concept of “the empowered patient” who is capable of managing their own condition rather than relying solely on medical services, thereby improving quality of life and enhancing patients’ ability to adapt within their community.
The club also plays an important social and humanitarian role within Dheisheh Camp by reducing the psychological isolation that diabetic patients may experience through group activities and regular meetings that foster a sense of belonging and mutual support. It strengthens the connection between health and social dimensions by involving families in awareness programs and organizing community events that spread health culture more broadly within the camp. As a result, the club has evolved from a simple health initiative into a successful community model that empowers patients, strengthens social solidarity, and transforms health challenges into an opportunity to build a more aware and cohesive society.
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