The mortality rate of children with diabetes is high in developing countries and some children die even before they are diagnosed with diabetes. Children who survive a childhood with diabetes often suffer from severe complications early in adult life due to poor management and care of their disease.In order to change this picture, more focus on management and care of children with diabetes is needed. An increase in the pediatricians' knowledge of diabetes and endocrine diseases will ensure better care through an improved access to specialised care and management of diabetes among children.The aim of the project is to increase pediatricians' knowledge and skills of diabetes and other endocrine disorders and hence improve access, care and management for children with diabetes and other endocrine disorders.
This project is a continuation of WDF07-263, which has established a fellowship programme on pediatric endocrinology care in five African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Botswana). This project will strengthen and expand the fellowship programme through training of fellows and establishment of diabetes clinics. Just as the previous project, this project will also be implemented through a collaboration between university of Nairobi (Kenyatta Hospital), Aga Khan University Hospital and Gertrude's Children Hospital,. In addition, the European Society of Paediatric Endocronology (ESPE) and International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) will throughout the project provide technical assistance and support the program by mentoring the alumni from WDF07-263 and the fellows trained in this project. They will visit the clinics once a year for two weeks. The program will also receive support from the African Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology (ASPAE) and Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation Kenya (Division of non-communicable diseases); Ministries of Health - Tanzania Botswana, Uganda and Ethiopia.20 pediatricians will complete an eighteen months fellowship training focusing on management of children with diabetes and other common endocrine disorders, also learning about outreach activities and research methodology in order to be able to carry on these activities in their home institutions. The fellowship programme consists of 6 months theoretical and practical training, 9 months of development and accomplishment of research project and 3 months of consolidation of training, examination and graduation.After completion of training the fellows will be required to strengthen an already existing clinic or set up a new pediatric diabetes and endocrinology clinic. The fellows will also train a team of health care professionals in their own clinics (consisting of a medical officer, nurse, nutritionist, pharmacist, psychologist and a social worker) who will take part in the practical management of the clinic.
- 17 pediatric diabetes/endocrinology clinics established- 20 pediatricians trained through a 18 month fellowship programme- 21 alumni fellows trained in health management and leadership- More than 2,600 children with endocrine disorders treated- 15 mentorship visits conducted