Accra, Aug 13, -- Panellists at a seminar on diabetes in Accra have underscored the need for health workers to collaborate their efforts to help diabetics manage their conditions to avoid complications. The speakers, comprising a lecturer, pharmacist, nurse and two private doctors, noted that education on the disease is very crucial to the patient and a concerted effort of all health workers is needed to achieve this. The seminar, organised jointly by the Ghana Diabetes Association and the Novo Nordisk, a Denmark organisation, was under the theme: "Diabetes - Everyone's Concern,". It forms part of activities to mark August as Diabetes Awareness Month. More than 90 participants, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dieticians attended. Dr Francis Ofei, president of the association, stressed the need for the formation of a scientific association to research into the disease to feed the main association with technical information. The association with a membership of health workers, diabetics and individuals concerned about the welfare of patients, was formed in 1981 to create awareness on the disease and its management. Dr Ofei said other diabetes associations were working more efficiently because they had the scientific association to complement their efforts. Dr Ofei, who is also lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical school, shared recent findings on the causes, symptoms,management and treatment of the disease with the participants. He said some diabetics whose bodies do not make use of the insulin they produce can be educated to manage their conditions if they eat more properly and increase their physical activity. "Studies have shown that there is a strong link between obesity and this group of diabetics and if they are able to shed the excess weight they can effectively manage their conditions without any drugs". Ms Rosemary Amegashie, a diabetes nurse at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, noted that some diabetics feel frustrated and angry because they think they are alone, but if they are counselled and meet other patients they understand their condition. "Ignorance is like a death sentence on the diabetic because he will do all the wrong things and develop complications. It is therefore important for the nurse who is the first contact at the clinic to empower the patient with the requisite information".
Accra, Aug 13, -- Panellists at a seminar on diabetes in Accra have underscored the need for health workers to collaborate their efforts to help diabetics manage their conditions to avoid complications. The speakers, comprising a lecturer, pharmacist, nurse and two private doctors, noted that education on the disease is very crucial to the patient and a concerted effort of all health workers is needed to achieve this. The seminar, organised jointly by the Ghana Diabetes Association and the Novo Nordisk, a Denmark organisation, was under the theme: "Diabetes - Everyone's Concern,". It forms part of activities to mark August as Diabetes Awareness Month. More than 90 participants, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dieticians attended. Dr Francis Ofei, president of the association, stressed the need for the formation of a scientific association to research into the disease to feed the main association with technical information. The association with a membership of health workers, diabetics and individuals concerned about the welfare of patients, was formed in 1981 to create awareness on the disease and its management. Dr Ofei said other diabetes associations were working more efficiently because they had the scientific association to complement their efforts. Dr Ofei, who is also lecturer at the University of Ghana Medical school, shared recent findings on the causes, symptoms,management and treatment of the disease with the participants. He said some diabetics whose bodies do not make use of the insulin they produce can be educated to manage their conditions if they eat more properly and increase their physical activity. "Studies have shown that there is a strong link between obesity and this group of diabetics and if they are able to shed the excess weight they can effectively manage their conditions without any drugs". Ms Rosemary Amegashie, a diabetes nurse at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, noted that some diabetics feel frustrated and angry because they think they are alone, but if they are counselled and meet other patients they understand their condition. "Ignorance is like a death sentence on the diabetic because he will do all the wrong things and develop complications. It is therefore important for the nurse who is the first contact at the clinic to empower the patient with the requisite information".
