The Will to be alive has kept you all these 65 plus days despite being in the custody of the Earth which is not satisfied with taking life.
When I take a critical look at the mystery of these men being alive and keeping on, it points to the fact that when there is unity and comradeship, sky is the limit to which we can achieve anything we so desire. It so happens that someone among the thirty three persons is living with diabetes.
There are so many lessons to be learnt from these men who are instantly heroes .When they where going down the mine no body among them new this fate is coming their way. Had they been opportune to know, many would have turn down the offer to be a hero.
The spirit of survival both from families and Government and indeed the international community has been fully in operation since these days. As you come into this world, I wish to welcome you and encourage you to continue to build comradeship amongst your colleagues and other workers in your company. I wish to urge you not to fear anything in the near future and I wish you good health and happy stay with your family here on Earth.
www.holidaysandcash.com/zicotravels
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
THE MUCH EXPECTED,AWAITED AND BELATED UN SUMMIT ON DIABETES AND OTHER NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SCHEDULED FOR 2011, EXPECTATIONS.
That Diabetes is a current global epidemic is no longer news. Ban ki Moon, the UN Secretary General sum it all with his statement “Diabetes and other NCDs are global epidemic of public health concern in slow motion”, I beg to differ from his position, am of the view that it is already in quick motion.
The current WHO,IDF, ADA abridged statistics shows that over 285 million persons are living with diabetes and a quarter of this figure are unknown. Where has the World been, when this figure got to this, and as am writing this piece, many more are being diagnosed.
This premises announce the global expectation of the summit of the UN. Following Resolution 61/225 adopted in December, 2006, diabetes has eventually gotten the World attention.
This summit is a first step in ensuring World leaders make the prevention and treatment of NCDs are urgent priority both globally and nationally.
Recently in South Africa there was a leadership summit organized to fine tune framework and position statement toward this much awaited summit, an alliance of all sectors of society will be needed to turn around this global epidemic. It is of prime importance and crucial that we keep up to date and informed in the lead up to the summit.
The UN Summit on NCDs is our biggest and best opportunity to get the action needed to achieve the IDF vision of a World without Diabetes.
It is hoped that a global fund to assist the numerous challenges posed by Diabetes is set up and I want to appeal to member nations of the UN to contribute generously towards this cause.
Some immediate challenges faced by Diabetes around the globe revolves around the following though more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing economies
- There is a poorly developed healthcare infrastructure to support chronic and acute treatment.
- Lack of coordinated healthcare policy that would ensure screening, treatment and prevention are accorded priority.
- A lack or inadequate knowledge by healthcare providers on how to treat or manage the disease.
- Ignorance on the part of the general population about diabetes prevention strategies.
The much expected, awaited and belated UN summit on Diabetes and other non communicable diseases scheduled for 2011, expectations are high, it can be achieved and surpassed if we work as a team and family.
www.holidaysandcash.com/zicotravels, www.diabetesguidenigeria.blogspot.com,
The current WHO,IDF, ADA abridged statistics shows that over 285 million persons are living with diabetes and a quarter of this figure are unknown. Where has the World been, when this figure got to this, and as am writing this piece, many more are being diagnosed.
This premises announce the global expectation of the summit of the UN. Following Resolution 61/225 adopted in December, 2006, diabetes has eventually gotten the World attention.
This summit is a first step in ensuring World leaders make the prevention and treatment of NCDs are urgent priority both globally and nationally.
Recently in South Africa there was a leadership summit organized to fine tune framework and position statement toward this much awaited summit, an alliance of all sectors of society will be needed to turn around this global epidemic. It is of prime importance and crucial that we keep up to date and informed in the lead up to the summit.
The UN Summit on NCDs is our biggest and best opportunity to get the action needed to achieve the IDF vision of a World without Diabetes.
It is hoped that a global fund to assist the numerous challenges posed by Diabetes is set up and I want to appeal to member nations of the UN to contribute generously towards this cause.
Some immediate challenges faced by Diabetes around the globe revolves around the following though more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing economies
- There is a poorly developed healthcare infrastructure to support chronic and acute treatment.
- Lack of coordinated healthcare policy that would ensure screening, treatment and prevention are accorded priority.
- A lack or inadequate knowledge by healthcare providers on how to treat or manage the disease.
- Ignorance on the part of the general population about diabetes prevention strategies.
The much expected, awaited and belated UN summit on Diabetes and other non communicable diseases scheduled for 2011, expectations are high, it can be achieved and surpassed if we work as a team and family.
www.holidaysandcash.com/zicotravels, www.diabetesguidenigeria.blogspot.com,
Monday, September 20, 2010
Millenium Development Goals, Any hope for people living with Diabetes?
The millenium development goals is a novel initiative by world leaders to adddress the problems affecting people world over especially in Africa. It is estimated that by 2015 many countries will meet up with set objectives. Taking a critical look at MDG goal 6, Diabetes and other NCDs are cleanly eliminated, how come this omission, it is that Diabetes and other NCDs are not a problem? It is sad to note that countries especially in Subsaharan Africa don't realize the potential danger that this pose, the concentrate mainly on malaria and Hiv because many foreign donors support these with funds and diabetes and other NCDs have no funding, hence they are not considered as a global challenge. I take solace and consolation in the words of UN sec General Mr Ban Ki Moon that NCDs are a public health emergency in slow motion. As over one hundred and forty leaders meet today to delebrate on the MDG goals, Let one of them have the courage to mention the efforts they are doing towards NCDs especially diabetes.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
WORLD DIABETES DAY 2010 A CALL TO ACTION PART 2
Diabetes Education and Prevention is the World Diabetes Day theme for the period 2009 to 2013.
The campaign calls on all those responsible for diabetes care to understand diabetes and take control.
For people with diabetes, this is a message about empowerment through education.
For Governments, it is a call to implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes in order to safeguard the health of their citizens with and at risk of diabetes.
For healthcare providers, it is a call to improve knowledge so that evidence based recommendations are put into practice.
For the general public, it is a call to understand the serious impact of diabetes and know, where possible, how to avoid or delay diabetes and its complications.
Key messages of the campaign are:
- Know the diabetes risks and know the warning signs.
- Know how to respond to diabetes and who to turn to.
- Know how to manage diabetes and take control.
The campaign calls on all those responsible for diabetes care to understand diabetes and take control.
For people with diabetes, this is a message about empowerment through education.
For Governments, it is a call to implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes in order to safeguard the health of their citizens with and at risk of diabetes.
For healthcare providers, it is a call to improve knowledge so that evidence based recommendations are put into practice.
For the general public, it is a call to understand the serious impact of diabetes and know, where possible, how to avoid or delay diabetes and its complications.
Key messages of the campaign are:
- Know the diabetes risks and know the warning signs.
- Know how to respond to diabetes and who to turn to.
- Know how to manage diabetes and take control.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Insulin Pen Needles and Syringes are “Disposable Items” Our Experience in Subsaharan Africa.
The Insulin Needles for insulin pens is clearly written by manufacturers that it is Disposable. This means after a single use it should be discarded.
If one has a box of 100 pieces and he uses twice daily injection, that will be fifty days. Hygienically it is better, more healthier to comply with this directive but unfortunately economically speaking, this advice is not pocket friendly especially for patients living with diabetes on insulin in Subsaharan Africa.
Some people use the insulin pen needle up to ten times, some fifteen times or others who want to be moderate five times and for the affluent about twice daily. This is a challenge that is being ignored and the gross effect is increased incidence of ulcers especially on the thighs or around areas where insulin is administered.
Recently, I was had the opportunity to attend a seminar on insulin administration and injection devices. I saw electron microscope slides of insulin pen needles following use once, twice, thrice till the tenth times. It was amazing how rough and dangerous the needle looks following each use. The needle undergo gradual wear and tire as the usage times increases. This explains why the muscles are torn and bleeding is often noticed and also the frequent ulcers around the injection area.
Having noticed this anomaly, the weight of the awareness is how can you tell someone to do something he or she knows but doesn’t have the financial muscle to decide? When I came back from the workshop, I started telling people that the ideal number of times to use the disposable needle for the same person is once but if you don’t have the finance try twice. Many people listen to me may be because am a diabetes Educator but I do see some doubt and since of no commitment on some faces because the don’t have the finance to continually buy them. One piece of insulin pen needle on the average is sold at 50cent per one in some places it may be up to 80cents. I want to call on the manufacturers to try any way they can to reduce the cost of this accessories as a way of alleviating the burden of people living with diabetes especially in Subsaharan Africa.
If one has a box of 100 pieces and he uses twice daily injection, that will be fifty days. Hygienically it is better, more healthier to comply with this directive but unfortunately economically speaking, this advice is not pocket friendly especially for patients living with diabetes on insulin in Subsaharan Africa.
Some people use the insulin pen needle up to ten times, some fifteen times or others who want to be moderate five times and for the affluent about twice daily. This is a challenge that is being ignored and the gross effect is increased incidence of ulcers especially on the thighs or around areas where insulin is administered.
Recently, I was had the opportunity to attend a seminar on insulin administration and injection devices. I saw electron microscope slides of insulin pen needles following use once, twice, thrice till the tenth times. It was amazing how rough and dangerous the needle looks following each use. The needle undergo gradual wear and tire as the usage times increases. This explains why the muscles are torn and bleeding is often noticed and also the frequent ulcers around the injection area.
Having noticed this anomaly, the weight of the awareness is how can you tell someone to do something he or she knows but doesn’t have the financial muscle to decide? When I came back from the workshop, I started telling people that the ideal number of times to use the disposable needle for the same person is once but if you don’t have the finance try twice. Many people listen to me may be because am a diabetes Educator but I do see some doubt and since of no commitment on some faces because the don’t have the finance to continually buy them. One piece of insulin pen needle on the average is sold at 50cent per one in some places it may be up to 80cents. I want to call on the manufacturers to try any way they can to reduce the cost of this accessories as a way of alleviating the burden of people living with diabetes especially in Subsaharan Africa.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The Challenges of Self Glucose Monitor Among Persons Living with Diabetes in Sub Saharan Africa.
The revolution of glucose meter introduction into the World of Diabetes brought hope, relief and ease to many persons living with Diabetes. Before now, when one intends to do a blood glucose check, it may take several weeks to months. Subsequently with this innovation, within five seconds one can have a clear picture of blood glucose and more recently, non invasive glucose monitoring machines are being developed.
In many developing Countries of Subsaharan Africa like Nigeria, there is a chaos in the complexity of the challenge. Many persons living with diabetes are able to acquire glucose meters yet are not able to get the test strips to buy. The glucose meter may have gotten to them via relations who are living in America, UK, France among others or donations from Non Governmental organizations on medical outreach missions. Yet there are some companies with established glucometer brands but their cost are exorbitant for an average person to buy. In the mist of these confusion there are new companies coming with new model of meters for people living with diabetes to buy. The question on the mind of many people is this, what happens if these companies stop to supply this meters how can they buy test strips in future? Any company who intend to come into the glucometer business should give assurance of continous supply of test strips and other accessories to ensure confidence in persons living with diabetes who intends to buy their meter.
In many developing Countries of Subsaharan Africa like Nigeria, there is a chaos in the complexity of the challenge. Many persons living with diabetes are able to acquire glucose meters yet are not able to get the test strips to buy. The glucose meter may have gotten to them via relations who are living in America, UK, France among others or donations from Non Governmental organizations on medical outreach missions. Yet there are some companies with established glucometer brands but their cost are exorbitant for an average person to buy. In the mist of these confusion there are new companies coming with new model of meters for people living with diabetes to buy. The question on the mind of many people is this, what happens if these companies stop to supply this meters how can they buy test strips in future? Any company who intend to come into the glucometer business should give assurance of continous supply of test strips and other accessories to ensure confidence in persons living with diabetes who intends to buy their meter.
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