The mortality rate of children with diabetes is high in developing countries and Cameroon is no exception. The life expectancy of a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is typically low and in some cases children die even before they are diagnosed.The prevalence of type 1 diabetes in children in Cameroon is low. Apart from the fact that the incidence maybe low, another possible reason is that perhaps only a few children are diagnosed and survive long enough after diagnosis. When diagnosed it is very challenging to live with type 1 diabetes as a child, because of poverty, ignorance, myths and poor access to quality treatment resulting in severe complications and causing premature deaths.The aim of the project is to improve diagnosis and the quality of management of children with type 1 diabetes.
This project is being implemented in partnership with the Novo Nordisk program “Changing Diabetes In Children” with the aim of improving the conditions of children with diabetes in some of the world’s least developed countriesThe project will use the hub-and-spoke concept used in previous projects, WDF09-457 in Uganda, WDF09-459 in DR Congo and WDF09-491 in Guinea. This concept includes:- Establishment of diabetes clinics where children with type 1 diabetes can receive quality care- Training of health care personnel- Education of children with type 1 diabetes and their families regarding the concepts of self care. The established clinics will consist of two main clinics (hubs) that work as referral clinics and satellite centers or smaller clinics (spokes). Implementation of satellite centers will reduce the distance to diabetes care for the children. All established clinics will be placed in already existing health care facilities and will be fully supplied with medical and laboratory equipment for the management of type 1 diabetes. The clinics and centers will be provided with IT equipment and software for data collection and reporting. Having a register makes it easier to keep track of the children and monitor them and their condition. All data collected will be saved in the central hospital in Yaoundé and incorporated in the national diabetes registry. In order to ensure correct diagnosis, care and management of the children’s diabetes, 30 doctors, 30 nurses and 30 educators will receive training. Training will be based on the “Guidelines for comprehensive management of type 1 diabetes in children in resource poor settings”, which is a modified version of ISPAD guidelines adapted to Sub-Saharan Africa. This will ensure that the training is aimed at the setting in Cameroon.The trained health care personnel will subsequently educate children and their families in correct management of their disease on a day to day basis. Furthermore, they will facilitate diabetes camps for children with type 1 diabetes. Each camp will run over five days and involve activities like sport, nutrition workshops, monitoring of blood glucose and teaching how blood sugar is regulated correctly by using insulin. Additionally, the camps will offer a forum for children to experience peer support, which is expected to enhance morale and strengthen the children’s resolve in self-management of diabetes.In order to improve self care knowledge and other aspects of diabetes care, education sessions will be facilitated regularly so they can avoid complications in the future. This is expected to encourage the entire family to help the child in the challenge of adhere correctly to the treatment.As co-funders, Novo Nordisk A/S apart from providing financial and logistical support will also provide insulin and syringes to the children registered in this project, while Roche Pharmaceuticals will equip the children with glucometres and strips during the five years the programme is running by which time it is expected that local governments will take over all aspects of care delivery by integrating this programme in the National Diabetes programme.
• 9 clinic has established• 412 children treated• 257 doctors, 394 nurses and 11 paramedics trained• 5 camps conducted• Childhood diabetes registry established