By Jejje Muhinde;
Kigali: Abbott, a global healthcare leader in partnership with the Ministry of Health has donated glucose meter and close to 12 million test strips to support disease management for people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in Rwanda for the next four years.
Rwandan patients living with Type 1 diabetes will carry out quick finger pricks monitor and determine their glucose levels, which will help them lead a healthier and fuller life.
Bernard Brisolier, Business Unit Director for Abbott’s diabetes care in Africa said, “We are thrilled to bring this initiative to life and help support the Rwandan diabetes patients. By working together with the Ministry of Health and Team Type 1 Foundation, we will empower thousands of people living with diabetes in Rwanda to monitor their status.”
The FreeStyle Optium Neo glucose meters and 11.7 million FreeStyle Optium test strips from Abbott will provide access to ongoing diabetes care in Rwanda.
This donation is in partnership with Team Type 1 Foundation, a non-profit organization pursuing a global mission of education, empowerment and equal access to medicine for everyone affected by diabetes.
According to the STEPS Survey 2014, Diabetes prevalence in Rwanda is at 3 per cent and 2,000 among the patients who have type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Patrick Ndimubanzi, the Minister of State in Charge of Primary Health care in Rwanda says the government responded to the global call to tackle the increased burden of diabetes by ensuring improved access and quality of care is delivered at all levels of the health system including primary health facilities close to the population.
Since 2010, the Team Type 1 Foundation has been present in Rwanda through the Tour of Rwanda cycling event and our work with the Rwanda Diabetes Association.
Abbott has collaborated with the Ministry of Health and a leading NGO, on a pilot program including the launch of eight second-generation health posts in Bugesera District, since the beginning of 2019.
Phil Southerland, President of Team Type 1Foundation also mentioned that it is a dream come true to receive this donation from Abbott.
Rwanda has introduced different measures to fight diabetes, these include; Community check-up and sensitization for early detection, decentralization, and integration of diabetes care to the health center level, health system strengthening through capacity building and development of normative tools, increase of accessibility and affordability of diabetes.
Other measures include medicine and lab test, inclusion of diabetes care into medical insurance scheme to mention but a few