The initiative draws upon the BMS Foundation's experience in supporting community-based services that complement medical care and improve health outcomes. This approach - first employed by the foundation in 1999 as part of the $150 million Secure The Future initiative to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa - helps remove barriers to diagnosis and care, while empowering patients to understand their role in managing their disease and reducing the risks it can pose to their health.

The foundation's grants will focus on developing effective, comprehensive solutions that integrate public health, healthcare services, community supportive services and the strengths of the communities in order to improve health outcomes and reduce disease burden. In China and India, we will focus on both urban and rural populations with special focus on early diagnosis, prevention of the onset of diabetes and complications for diabetics. We will also seek to have innovative workplace programs.

What made you choose China and India over the other APAC countries?

Mr Damonti: The mission of the BMS Foundation is to help reduce health disparities around the world by strengthening community-based healthcare worker capacity, integrating medical care and community-based supportive services, and mobilizing communities in the fight against disease. The foundation's initiatives in type 2 diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer and hepatitis B and C focus on alleviating the disease burden in those countries most heavily impacted by these diseases.

Type 2 diabetes affects an ever-growing numbers of adults in the US, China and India. China has the most patients suffering from type 2 diabetes compared to any other country. The International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) reports that more than 90 million people in China - 9.3 percent of the population - had type 2 diabetes in 2011. That figure is projected to grow to 129.7 million, or 12.1 percent of the population, by 2030.