COMMUNIQUE OF THE 3^RD ANNUAL OGUN YOUTH DIABETES CAMP HELD FROM SUNDAY 20^TH AUGUST, 2023 TO WEDNESDAY 23^RD AUGUST, 2023 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.

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 glucometre.

3^rd Annual Ogun Youth Diabetes Camp: this edition had in attendance 26 young people (19 females and 7 males) with Type 1 diabetes who were between the ages of 10 and 25 years, 6 mothers/caregivers and 5 observers. Participants were from Kwara, Ondo, Lagos and Ogun States.

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. Some also received free insulin pens and glucometres.

The following lectures were delivered by facilitators physically and via Zoom over the 3-day period:

• Managing diabetes successfully by Mr. Olumuyiwa Talabi the 82 year old donor of Talabi Diabetes Centre who has lived with Type 2 diabetes for over 40 years.
• Managing Type 1 diabetes with diet: What you need to know by Vivian Okoro who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for close to 35 years after being diagnosed at the age of 9 years.
• All you need to know about Insulin and insulin injections by Pharmacist Adejare.
• How to monitor your blood glucose well by Pharmacist Olumide Elutade.
• Diabetes and School by Dr. Adetutu Oyewole a Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist.
• Importance of diabetic control and sexual health and preconception care by Dr. Idayat Oguntade a Senior Registrar in Paediatric Endocrinology.
• How to advocate for diabetes as a person living with diabetes by Lion Osarenkhoe Ethel Chima-Nwogwugwu a certified Diabetes educator with the Internation Diabetes Federation (IDF).
• Foot Care in Diabetes by Bilikisu Nauzo the Executive Director of Podiatry Foundation of Nigeria.
• Identifying and overcoming challenges in families of children with Type 1 diabetes by Mrs Jejeola Enitan Talabi the wife of the donor of Talabi Diabetes Centre.
• Avoiding the complications of Diabetes by Dr. Adekoya a Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist.

Participants noted the persistent difficulties in living with Type 1 diabetes which includes having multiple daily injections of insulin which price has now gone through the roof with prices of insulin pen averaging six thousand Naira now. Each pen will be fully used up within a week.

In addition, the cost of Glucometres used to monitor blood sugar levels now average fourteen thousand Naira and the box of strips to be used with the Glucometres costing about nine thousand Naira.

Also topical is the issue of discrimination faced by the young people amongst their peers in schools. This brought to the fore the need to ensure that information about diabetes and what students can do to support their peers living with diabetes is widely disseminated in schools.

The good news of steps being taken by the Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC), an initiative of Novo Nordisk, Federal Ministry of Health and Ogun State Ministry of Health to train Health Workers and make free Insulin and Glucometres available was also noted with delight. The CDiC program focuses on training of healthcare professionals to enhance their capabilities in diagnosis and treatment of children with Type 1 diabetes in low and middle-income countries.

4^th Annual Ogun Youth Diabetes Camp: participants, parents and facilitators are eagerly looking forward to this in August 2024.

Thank you.

Dr.Ayotunde Ale                                                   Dr. Olubiyi Adesina

Ag. Director                                                          Camp Coordinator

Talabi Diabetes Centre