In Phase I, the project was implemented as three components:

• COMPONENT 1 – Diabetes Educator Nursing Officers (DENO)
• COMPONENT 2 – Health care model of primary-tertiary care partnership
• COMPONENT 3 – Prevention of diabetes through health promotion

These were achieved by capacity building of medical and allied health professionals with special focus on follow up and self-care, strengthening of long term care of diabetics in PHC settings and establishing a health promotional model towards primary prevention of diabetes through capacity building and participation of formal and informal sectors in suburban areas.

Each component had its activities clearly defined to run parallel in time and expenditure, under the leadership of three project coordinators giving their time and expertise to the project in a volunteer capacity. The teams represented the relevant administrative, academic and healthcare delivery systems. All the activities were conducted concurrently with active participation of relevant members of the DPTF who had the motivation, expertise and experience in conducting each project component. The main stakeholders (SLMA, Ministry of Health, WHO and Foundation of health Promotion) were invited to function as advisors to the project to facilitate optimum project activity and outcome.