SSD 26 - INSULIN CARE FOR CHILDREN OF WAU
Project Location
Wau, located in the Greater Bahr Ghazal region south of the Nile River, was initially founded as a zariba (fortified base) by slave traders in the 19th century. During the period of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium government, the city became an administrative centre. It is now the largest city in the southern part of Sudan, after Juba, with an ethnically diverse population. The majority of the inhabitants are Fertit and Dinka, as the city lies on the tribal border between these two peoples. In addition, minorities belonging to the Luo, Jur, Modo, Beli, Belanda Boor, Belanda Bviri and Nuer peoples can be found in Wau.
In order to offer a service to the population, the Diocesan Administration decided to renovate the former Military Hospital, located in the centre of Wau and returned to the Diocese by the Khartoum Government after the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement, 2005). Renovation began in late 2009 and was completed in 2015. The hospital is a non-profit health institution operating on a charitable basis, and is run by the Comboni Missionary Sisters, with the collaboration of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters (FMSA) and the Sisters of Charity under the patronage of St Vincent de Paul.
Project description
Over the past year, we have seen an increase in the number of patients with type I diabetes mellitus in our hospital from 20 to 30 patients who are followed monthly in our institution and in need of insulin therapy. Our patients with type I diabetes mellitus are mainly newly diagnosed young adolescents, aged between 14 and 18, who come to our hospital in a very poor clinical condition.
The majority in a semi-comatose state due to high blood glucose levels that create a state of ketoacidosis or hyperosmolarity that, if not reversible with appropriate insulin therapy, can lead to death. Most patients and their families come from distant places, particularly from rural areas and without any knowledge of the disease.
The necessary hospitalisation of these patients has the purpose, not only of stabilising the patient, but also the main purpose of counselling the patient and their families about the disease and the necessary lifelong follow-up that is required for the young person to have, as far as possible, a normal life.
Although the hospital assumes and helps with the total costs of the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients, the main challenge continues to be the follow-up, which means convincing the patient to come every month for consultation and control in the institution. The main reasons are associated with the lack of transport from their hometowns and the acceptance of the disease and its treatment. As a hospital, there is an awareness that the number of patients with type I diabetes mellitus is much larger than those currently undergoing follow-up, and there is a commitment on the part of our doctors and other healthcare professionals to increase diagnosis and follow-up in the population.
Objectives
- To support Insulin-Dependent Diabetic Patients in the acquisition of Mixtard Insulin ampoules for the control of their chronic disease
- To increase patient follow-ups so that the young person has, as far as possible, a normal life
Beneficiaries
Direct: 30 patients with diabetes mellitus I from diagnosis to follow-ups
Indirect: the families
Referent sister fo the project: Sr. Joana Sofia Amaro da Silva Carneiro
Project's costs