In 2007, CLAN was invited by the National Hospital of Pediatrics to expand efforts being undertaken to help children with CAH towards children living with Diabetes.
CLAN attended a Diabetes Club meeting in mid-2007, and was devastasted by the sad stories and lack of support available to the children and families. Children were literally going blind and suffering unspeakable side effects from Diabetes never seen in Australia, and through our work with CAH CLAN knew that change was possible.
So what's been happening to help kids who are living with Diabetes in Vietnam?
Taking a 5 pillar approach, CLAN focused on some early initiatives:
1. Improving access to affordable insulin and medical equipment - and sincere thanks to the (International Insulin Foundation) IIF and (International Diabetes Federation) IDF for conducting the RAPIA in Vietnam in 2008 with great success. Thanks also to Insulin for Life and Life for a Child for helping with early donations of insulin and ongoing support.
2. Translation of educational resoruces into Vietnamese; collaboration on research projects and training of health professionals (resource nurses established and staff trained at NHP, and staff from CH1 in HCMC travelling to Children's Hospital Westmead in Australia for training)
3. Working with health professionals to promote optimal care
4. Establishment of Diabetes Clubs at all 3 pediatric hospitals in Vietnam
5. Collaborative efforts to explore ways to reduce financial burdens for families
There is still a lot of work to do, but CLAN is confident that change is afoot, and things are moving in the right direction.
Sincere thanks to the staff of Children's Hospital Westmead, Australia, for their ongoing commitment to the development of Paediatric Endocrinology in Vietnam.
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