Kenya
A Kenya Diabetes Management and Information Centre event partnered with the Ministry of Health, Novo Nordisk and Roche was used to highlight the burden of Diabetes in the country and the plight of people living with diabetes.
Held at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi the event majored on the role nurses and other health workers play in the fight against diabetes.
Awards were presented to some of the nurses who have shown outstanding performance in the management of diabetes.
The event also showcased the value of partnerships, particularly through the Changing Diabetes in Children project which is a joint venture between the partners at the event.
The project offers free insulin, gluco-meters and other supplies to children under the age of 18. The project has so far enrolled over 2500 children. The project was to end in 2020 but the donors have granted a 3-year extension.
Advocacy Action: Can you persuade your Government to partner with other organisations and add value to what can be delivered for people with diabetes?
Singapore
Singapore focused on patient access to health coaching and sports facilities to assist the mental health of people with diabetes.
Diabetic patients will soon have access to personalised health coaching, sports facilities and programmes that help them lead healthier lives.
A deal signed between Sport Singapore and Diabetes Singapore that lets patients get advice from health coaches and use sporting facilities was announced on World Diabetes Day by Minister for Health Masagos Zulkifli MP.
The MP said: “We must not lose sight of our war against diabetes. It continues to be a major public health concern even amidst the pandemic.”
It is estimated that one in three Singaporeans is at risk of developing diabetes in their lifetime.
Advocacy Action: Can you raise the importance of sports activities being widely available to encourage healthy lifestyles to prevent diabetes and help those with the condition keep it well controlled?
Nigeria
The concerns of healthcare professionals at the number of deaths from diabetes have led to calls on the federal government to subsidise the cost of medications, and monitoring devices. The call was made in a webinar organised by Novo Nordisk to mark 2020 World Diabetes Day, WDD.
Speakers claimed the cost of anti-diabetic drugs and monitoring devices have risen beyond the reach of many Nigerians and can no longer achieve good control as recommended by the International Diabetes Federation.
Advocacy Action: Can you get figures for the number of deaths associated with diabetes and what the trend is? Does your Government subsidise the costs of drugs and devices?