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Association calls for implementation of policies on diabetes drugs

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30 Nov 2018 6:21 AM GMT
Association calls for implementation of policies on diabetes drugs
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Association calls for implementation of policies on diabetes drugs Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole   The Society for Paediatrics and Adolescent Endocrinology in Nigeria (SPAEN) has called on the Federal Government to implement policies on essential drugs list, especially the provision of insulin for diabetic patients. Prof. Abiola Oduwole, President of the association, made […]

Association calls for implementation of policies on diabetes drugs

Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole

The Society for Paediatrics and Adolescent Endocrinology in Nigeria (SPAEN) has called on the Federal Government to implement policies on essential drugs list, especially the provision of insulin for diabetic patients.

Prof. Abiola Oduwole, President of the association, made the call at a campaign walk tagged: “10 Kilometre Walk for Children and Adolescents Living with Diabetes” on Friday in Lagos.

“Government needs to realise that insulin and injections help children suffering from diabetes to live a normal life.

“Most of the diabetic children cannot afford the insulin because it is expensive, which may lead to kidney problem later.

“We look after the children and adolescents living with diabetes, most of the children have Type One diabetes.

“Every child living with diabetes must take insulin three or four times a day and check their status regularly.

“International Federation of Diabetes (IDF) had been supporting the association by giving free insulin, but why should we be waiting for them when government should be responsible,” Oduwole said.

She said that the association have no fewer than 400 children in its diabetes register.

“The data is from centres where we have paediatric endocrinologist. There is dearth of data because we have only 30 paediatric endocrinologists in Nigeria.

“The main reason we are ready to train more paediatrician, nurses, pharmacists and also a layman to assist us educating more people on diabetes.

“We are trying to help ourselves because government cannot do it alone,” Oduwole said.

Oduwole called on individuals and communities not to isolate any children living with diabetes so that they could live a normal life.

“We noticed that some parents do not want their children to play with diabetes children,” she said.

Also, Mrs Martha Joseph, whose daughter was living with diabetes, called on government at all levels to subsidise diabetes drugs.

Joseph, who is a businesswoman, said that the drugs were too expensive and her daughter have to be taking it regularly.

“My daughter was nine years, when diagnosed with diabetes. I did not believe the report because my husband and I do not have such illness.

“My advice to other children living with diabetes is that they should not be discouraged, but put their trust in God,’’ she said.

Commenting, Mr Ayo Ogunyemi, a student who is also living with diabetes, advised all diabetic children to always live healthy.

Ogunyemi said that people need to be aware that children and adolescents living with diabetes could live normally.

“I was diagnosed of diabetes when I was three years old and am 21 years old now, it was difficult, but thank God for keeping me alive.

“I know the key to manage diabetes is eating healthy, living healthy and a good lifestyle,” he said.

Source: NAN

Photo Source: Google

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