DMI Seeks to Train More Teachers in Diabetes Management

11th edition of Safaricom Diabetes Walk to take place in Mombasa on 12th September

Sept 11th 2015… The Diabetes Management Centre plans to partner with schools in Mombasa as it seeks to train more teachers on diabetes management and how to handle diabetic children under their care.

Mrs. Eva Muchemi, Executive Director DMI says: “Our goal this year is to equip more teachers in the coastal region with the skills required to deal and effectively manage children who live with diabetes,” adding “Most teachers are not equipped with knowledge of diabetes management, and given how important they are to a child’s development because of the amount of time they spend together, we think it’s important for them to learn the basics.”

In partnership with the Safaricom Foundation, DMI has been carrying out youth training programmes in the region to raise awareness on diabetes prevention and management.

Statistics indicate that an estimated1.8 million Kenyans are living with diabetes, 5% of whom are children and youth between the ages of 5 to 18 years.

A report by International Diabetes Federation Atlas 2014 further states that Kenya recorded 775,200 new cases of diabetes in that year alone, with those living with the condition being between the ages of 20 and 79 years. It is predicted that diabetes could become the 7th leading cause of deaths around the world by 2030 if not managed properly, with developing countries expected to be hardest hit.

Diabetes prevalence in Kenya is currently estimated at 4.7% of the population. However, a recent study by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) predicts that this could rise to as high as 10 per cent by 2030.

As part of these ongoing efforts, this weekend’s Safaricom Diabetes Walk in Mombasa will seek to raise awareness about diabetes, so as to promote prevention through lifestyle changes, educate the public about diabetes management and eradicate the stigma surrounding those with the disease.

The Walk comes two months after another one held in Nairobi raised Kshs.12 million. The funds will go towards provision of insulin kits at no cost to children from disadvantaged families, and will also be used for community training and education.

“In our nine-year partnership with DMI we’ve seen a significant impact on those who benefit from the insulin kits, especially because the cost of diabetes treatment remains out of reach for many Kenyan families,” says Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore. “We appreciate the support we have received from the Ministry of Health, but we request them to act speedily to bring down the cost of treatment so that more diabetes patients can access it.”

Now in its 11th year the event has contributed to significant achievements, supporting over 200 children under 18 years with free insulin and training communities in various parts of the country.

The walk will be flagged off by Mombasa County Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore at the Butterfly Pavilion in Bamburi, Mombasa at 9.00am.

11th edition of Safaricom Diabetes Walk to take place in Mombasa on 12th September

Sept 11th 2015… The Diabetes Management Centre plans to partner with schools in Mombasa as it seeks to train more teachers on diabetes management and how to handle diabetic children under their care.

Mrs. Eva Muchemi, Executive Director DMI says: “Our goal this year is to equip more teachers in the coastal region with the skills required to deal and effectively manage children who live with diabetes,” adding “Most teachers are not equipped with knowledge of diabetes management, and given how important they are to a child’s development because of the amount of time they spend together, we think it’s important for them to learn the basics.”

In partnership with the Safaricom Foundation, DMI has been carrying out youth training programmes in the region to raise awareness on diabetes prevention and management.

Statistics indicate that an estimated1.8 million Kenyans are living with diabetes, 5% of whom are children and youth between the ages of 5 to 18 years.

A report by International Diabetes Federation Atlas 2014 further states that Kenya recorded 775,200 new cases of diabetes in that year alone, with those living with the condition being between the ages of 20 and 79 years. It is predicted that diabetes could become the 7th leading cause of deaths around the world by 2030 if not managed properly, with developing countries expected to be hardest hit.

Diabetes prevalence in Kenya is currently estimated at 4.7% of the population. However, a recent study by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) predicts that this could rise to as high as 10 per cent by 2030.

As part of these ongoing efforts, this weekend’s Safaricom Diabetes Walk in Mombasa will seek to raise awareness about diabetes, so as to promote prevention through lifestyle changes, educate the public about diabetes management and eradicate the stigma surrounding those with the disease.

The Walk comes two months after another one held in Nairobi raised Kshs.12 million. The funds will go towards provision of insulin kits at no cost to children from disadvantaged families, and will also be used for community training and education.

“In our nine-year partnership with DMI we’ve seen a significant impact on those who benefit from the insulin kits, especially because the cost of diabetes treatment remains out of reach for many Kenyan families,” says Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore. “We appreciate the support we have received from the Ministry of Health, but we request them to act speedily to bring down the cost of treatment so that more diabetes patients can access it.”

Now in its 11th year the event has contributed to significant achievements, supporting over 200 children under 18 years with free insulin and training communities in various parts of the country.

The walk will be flagged off by Mombasa County Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore at the Butterfly Pavilion in Bamburi, Mombasa at 9.00am.