COMMUNIQUE OF THE 4TH ANNUAL OGUN YOUTH DIABETES CAMP HELD FROM SUNDAY 18TH AUGUST, 2024 TO WEDNESDAY 21ST AUGUST, 2024 AT THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, OLUSEGUN OBASANJO PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA.
Preamble: The annual Ogun Youth Diabetes Camp is a collaborative effort between Talabi Diabetes Centre, Isara Remo, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Remo North Local Government, Isara Remo, Non-communicable Diseases desk of the Ogun State Ministry of Health, Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) Ogun State Chapter, Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Endocrinologists of Nigeria (SPAEN), Ogun State Chapter, Youth Development Centre (YDC) of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) and the Late Dr. Abi Afonja Trust and Latifundium, Joga Orile.
Support was also received from pharmaceutical companies like Mega, Lekam, Philips, and General merchant companies like General Support ltd, and Cedrus group.
Type 1 diabetes: This is a life-long disease. It occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas within the abdomen. Insulin normally helps to control blood sugar levels. Once insulin is no longer produced, the blood sugar levels go up astronomically leading to symptoms such as excessive urination, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, excessive water intake, loss of weight and in a lot of cases coma. Other symptoms include blurring of vision, slow healing of wounds and recurrent infections.
The exact cause is still unknown but it has been noted that there is a strong genetic risk. It is also thought that factors like viruses or environmental toxins can trigger it.
It can occur in children and adults but it is commoner in children.
Its treatment is life-long daily injections of insulin. Blood sugar levels must also be monitored multiple times daily with a glucometer.
4th Annual Ogun Youth Diabetes Camp: this edition had in attendance 36 young people (22 females and 14 males) with Type 1 diabetes who were between the ages of 10 and 25 years, 6 mothers/caregivers, 1 father and 1 observer. Participants were from Enugu, Oyo, Kwara, Lagos and Ogun States and Abuja.
Aerobic exercise sessions were held every morning to inculcate in them the importance of daily exercises which is a very key component in the management of diabetes. Participants also toured the Presidential library, Presidential museum and Zoological gardens and had a camp bonfire night. Their blood sugar levels were constantly monitored during the camp and challenges addressed. Foot examination and glycosylated haemoglobin tests were carried out in all the participants. Some also received free insulin pens and glucometers.
The following lectures were delivered/sessions had physically and via Zoom over the 3-day period:
- Welcome remarks by Mr. Olumuyiwa Talabi the 83-year-old donor of Talabi Diabetes Centre who has lived with Type 2 diabetes for over 40 years. (Zoom)
- Foot care in Diabetes - Nasiru Shaba (Zoom)
- Video on Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)/Insulin pump.
- How do I monitor my glucose control? Dr. Akinola
- Understanding Type 1 Diabetes/Benefits of attending a Diabetes camp – Dr. Adekoya
- OOPL Museum/ Presidential Library Tour/Zoo/Boat ride/Lunch
- Foot examination (Biothesiometry) – Favour Mega Life
- Coping with Type 1 diabetes – Mrs Babalola/Amanda Epps (Zoom)
- Living with diabetes successfully - Terry from Diabetescamps.org (Zoom)
- Staying focused on life-goals despite living with diabetes - Mrs. J.E Talabi (Zoom).
- Personal experience with T1DM: Challenges and solutions (interactive session). – Dr. Idayat Oguntade
- Carbohydrate counting – Vivian Nkiruka Okoro (Zoom). She has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 36 years after being diagnosed at the age of 9 years.
- Becoming a diabetes ambassador/Champion – Lion Osarenkhoe Chima -Nwogwugu
- The Person with Diabetes at school - Dr. Tutu Oyewole
- Fear of hypoglycaemia! – Dr. Ayotunde Ale
Participants noted the persistent difficulties of living with Type 1 diabetes in Nigeria which includes having multiple daily injections of insulin which price has now gone through the roof with prices of insulin pen averaging eighteen-thousand Naira. Each pen will be fully used up within a week in most cases. They also painfully noted the discrimination and isolation they face in schools both from teachers and other pupils.
In addition, the cost of Glucometers used to monitor blood sugar levels now average fifteen thousand Naira and the box of strips to be used with the Glucometers costing about twelve thousand Naira.
The issue of discrimination brought to the fore the need to ensure that information about diabetes and what students and teachers can do to support their peers/pupils living with diabetes is widely disseminated in schools.
There is also the need for more bodies across the country to support/organize educational/support sessions for young people living with diabetes.
The onus is on the Federal Ministry of Health and Ogun State Ministry of Health to continue to train Health Workers on diabetes care and make free Insulin and Glucometers available as occurs in other climes to support these young people living with diabetes.
5th Annual Ogun Youth Diabetes Camp: participants, parents and facilitators are eagerly looking forward to this in August 2025.
Thank you.
Dr.Ayotunde Ale Dr. Olubiyi Adesina
Ag. Director Camp Coordinator
Talabi Diabetes Centre
21/08/2024
