The Health Ministry and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in partnership with Novo Nordisk, has launched the Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC) and the Insulin for SeniorsTM programmes.

This is under the iCARETM initiative for Ghana, which is the latest intervention plans by Novo Nordisk in Africa under the global defeat diabetes campaign.

The iCARETM initiative, as described at the event by the VP & GM Middle Africa, Novo Nordisk, Vinay Ransiwal, has the vision to accelerate access to treatment for patients living with diabetes in Africa in a sustainable manner by leveraging four key areas; capacity, affordability, reach and empowerment thus ensuring more patients will be treated to defeat diabetes in Middle Africa.

The CVP, Business Area Middle East, Africa and CIS, Novo Nordisk, Emil Larsen went further to describe the global defeat diabetes strategy as one that has evolved to meet current challenges in the society and equally highlighted its relevance, especially at this time of the celebration of 100 years of the discovery of Insulin.

In Ghana, the Changing Diabetes® in Children(CDiC) and the Insulin for SeniorsTM programmes, were officially inaugurated with the signing of an MOU between the Ministry of Health and Novo Nordisk.

Other key partners include the Ghana Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (GSPED), National Catholic Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana, Palb Pharmaceuticals, Phyllyps Medical, Gokals-Laborex limited, Medtronic Labs and Embassy of Denmark.

As part of the defeat diabetes strategy, Novo Nordisk has the ambition to reach 100,000 children globally by 2030 with CDiC.

In Ghana, the CDiC programme aims to improve the delivery of diabetes care to children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in resource-poor settings, working with 17 hospitals to reach 1500 children in a five-year timeframe.

The Insulin for SeniorsTM programme has a similar objective to provide holistic diabetes care and safeguard insulin access for seniors from the age of 60, working with 21 hospitals to reach 4000 elderly people living with diabetes in a period of 3 years.

With Ghana having 281,100 adults (20-79 years) with diabetes1, and considering the economic vulnerabilities faced by many of the patients living with diabetes across Africa, public-private partnerships of this nature become fundamental in the fight to defeat diabetes.

The Deputy Head of Mission, Royal Danish Embassy Ghana, Birgit la Cour Madsen highlighted the importance of the iCARETM initiative and its various programmes.

He said it comes when Novo Nordisk, with headquarters in Denmark, was also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, a monumental and history-changing event in 1921 that has today led to patients living with diabetes being able to live and thrive.

He described them as further cementing the gains of the discovery of insulin 100 years ago.

Novo Nordisk will continue to support improved access to insulin and diabetes education for patients living with diabetes, through innovative projects and partnerships with various stakeholders to drive change to defeat diabetes.

As a leader with close to 100 years of experience in diabetes care, Novo Nordisk is committed to defeating diabetes in Africa.