World Diabetes Day
On 23 November, friends, families and patients of the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) gathered alongside members of the Akram Foundation to observe World Diabetes Day.
The brilliant day was made extra special by the attendance of Cricket World Cup winner and founder of the Akram Foundation, Wasim Akram. His wife Shaniera and several members of the foundation accompanied him on his visit to NICH. World Diabetes Day is a significant day for Akram who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 29.
Akram spent the day making rounds at the hospital encouraging patients and families and reminding them to never lose hope. He spoke of his life living with diabetes, providing insight on management. The event was significant as it exposed Akram and foundation members to the younger population of individuals living with diabetes in Pakistan. Patients living with diabetes that are registered at the NICH receive insulin at no cost. At this moment, the NICH is the only hospital in Karachi that is offering holistic care from a diabetes team (including an educator, dietician and paediatric endocrinologist) and critical care as needed in a dedicated diabetes ward.
On World Diabetes Day 2017 the team at NICH proudly shared an initial template of our latest collaborative project, the translation of Geoff Ambler and Fergus Cameron’s book on Diabetes into the Urdu language. This exciting project was initiated by CLAN in 2015, and it is hoped the final translation will ultimately support Urdu-speaking children and families not only in Pakistan but also Australia and other countries around the world. The book is comprehensive and contains information about the management of type 1 diabetes. Current efforts are focused on finalizing and printing the book so it can be made freely available to all families when they visit NICH for their check-ups.
In his address to families on the day, Prof. Jamal Raza (Director of NICH) shared updates on the measures NICH is taking for the future. The hospital is very proud of the new electronic diabetes register now in use, and optimistic it will assist efforts to improve care and promote research and other initiatives to help those living with diabetes in Pakistan.
Another highlight of the day was the outdoor entertainment conducted by volunteers from the Grammar School in Karachi. Various stalls were set up for dietary counseling, education sessions on injection techniques, free screenings for blood glucose levels and fun games for the children. Attendees also received a diabetes friendly lunch. The NICH distributed goody bags including glucometers and strips along with information on how to use them.
World Diabetes Day 2017 was a great opportunity to support the children and families attending NICH for diabetes care, and inspire all young people living with diabetes in Pakistan that life is full of exciting possibilities and they are not alone in their journey!
Report by Stephanie Carde (CLAN Communications Officer, Sydney) and Dr Rabia Baloch (CLAN Community Development Officer, NICH, Karachi).
The brilliant day was made extra special by the attendance of Cricket World Cup winner and founder of the Akram Foundation, Wasim Akram. His wife Shaniera and several members of the foundation accompanied him on his visit to NICH. World Diabetes Day is a significant day for Akram who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 29.
Akram spent the day making rounds at the hospital encouraging patients and families and reminding them to never lose hope. He spoke of his life living with diabetes, providing insight on management. The event was significant as it exposed Akram and foundation members to the younger population of individuals living with diabetes in Pakistan. Patients living with diabetes that are registered at the NICH receive insulin at no cost. At this moment, the NICH is the only hospital in Karachi that is offering holistic care from a diabetes team (including an educator, dietician and paediatric endocrinologist) and critical care as needed in a dedicated diabetes ward.
On World Diabetes Day 2017 the team at NICH proudly shared an initial template of our latest collaborative project, the translation of Geoff Ambler and Fergus Cameron’s book on Diabetes into the Urdu language. This exciting project was initiated by CLAN in 2015, and it is hoped the final translation will ultimately support Urdu-speaking children and families not only in Pakistan but also Australia and other countries around the world. The book is comprehensive and contains information about the management of type 1 diabetes. Current efforts are focused on finalizing and printing the book so it can be made freely available to all families when they visit NICH for their check-ups.
In his address to families on the day, Prof. Jamal Raza (Director of NICH) shared updates on the measures NICH is taking for the future. The hospital is very proud of the new electronic diabetes register now in use, and optimistic it will assist efforts to improve care and promote research and other initiatives to help those living with diabetes in Pakistan.
Another highlight of the day was the outdoor entertainment conducted by volunteers from the Grammar School in Karachi. Various stalls were set up for dietary counseling, education sessions on injection techniques, free screenings for blood glucose levels and fun games for the children. Attendees also received a diabetes friendly lunch. The NICH distributed goody bags including glucometers and strips along with information on how to use them.
World Diabetes Day 2017 was a great opportunity to support the children and families attending NICH for diabetes care, and inspire all young people living with diabetes in Pakistan that life is full of exciting possibilities and they are not alone in their journey!
Report by Stephanie Carde (CLAN Communications Officer, Sydney) and Dr Rabia Baloch (CLAN Community Development Officer, NICH, Karachi).
