Forty-Nine children with diabetes mellitus type 1 last Saturday and Sunday participated in the Ministry of Health’s annual diabetic youth camp at Splashmins Fun Park and Resort, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

They were educated about their medical condition, administering medication, nutrition, foot care and management and coping skills.
Additionally, they each received a hamper valued $40,000, containing medical supplies such as glucometers, test strips, lancets, prep pads, novo pens and novo fine needles. These supplies will last them until January next year.
This initiative was a collaborative effort between the Health Ministry and the private sector, and it 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 they have been achieving many successes with regard to their academic and social lives.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Dr. Persaud further stated that the health 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 a healthy lifestyle and always participate in their health care. He noted that oftentimes persons meet with their doctors and are not even aware of their condition and the medications they are using. “We are trying to change that,” he said.
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, Bounty Farm Limited, New GPC Inc., Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited and Cara Lodge.