FORTY-NINE children with type 1 diabetes mellitus recently participated in the Ministry of Health’s annual diabetic youth camp at the Splashmins Resort, Soesdyke where they were educated on their medical condition, administering medication, nutrition, foot care and management and coping skills.

In addition, they benefited from a hamper each valued at $40, 000 and containing medical supplies such as glucometers, test strips, lancets, prep pads, novo pens and novo fine needles. These supplies will last them until January of next year.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Health Ministry and the private sector, and is aimed at educating the children, along with their parents about the disease and how they can manage it.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud presented the items to the children and said that from all reports there were lots of successes from children with diabetes as it relates to their academic and social lives.
Dr Persaud said that the ministry has been placing a lot of effort on the programme in order to ensure that the children live a full life and contribute to nation building
The CMO urged them to live  healthy lifestyles and to always participate in their health care. He said that  frequently persons meet with their doctors and are not even aware of their condition and the medications they are using, and they are trying to change that.
This programme was launched in 2008 and forms part of the ministry’s annual programme to fight chronic diseases.
The sponsors on board to help battle diabetes are: Trans Guyana Airways, Roraima Airways, Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Bounty Farm Limited, New GPC Inc., Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited and the Cara Lodge.