Table 1 Key interventions of the programme, measured outcome-variables and their sources

Assess situation and needs

Preliminary survey of availability of equipment and drugs

Status of equipment and drugs for diabetes and hypertension in 2007

Investigators made inventories of 75 (95%) of the health centres (2007)

Provide equipment to health centres

Equipment with sphygmomanometers, stethoscopes and blood glucose meters.

Basic medication added to pharmacy stocks.

Status of equipment and drugs for diabetes and hypertension in 2009

Investigators made inventories of equipped health centres after two years (2009)

Train NPCs

Initial three-day training modules;

Six-monthly one-day refresher courses;

Knowledge of NPCs before, directly after and 2 years post-training

Multiple-choice tests before, directly after and at 2 years post-training (2007-2009)

Improve care for hypertensive and diabetic patients

Checks of equipment and patient-records integrated into the protocol of regular supervisions carried out by the district health committee.

Numbers of patients identified, treated and followed by trained NPCs (2007-2009)

Change of BP and FPG among patients followed by trained NPCs (2007-2009)

Standardised medical record forms