The pandemic brought our routine life to a halt, however our needs for medicine and healthcare continued.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition that requires critical lifesaving medicines and continuous monitoring to stay healthy. Many individuals with Type 1 diabetes are young children and many are often unable to afford medicines. The pandemic and related lockdowns caused supply chain disruptions and rendered most health services inaccessible. This meant health advocates like me had to help and support our members. This included:
- Instituting a mechanism for regular counseling of newly diagnosed as well as patients on medication and their caregivers, providing the much-needed emotional support.
- Arranging for supplies of glucose strips and insulin to people who had no access.
- Conducting online sessions for managing life with Type 1 diabetes with topics, such as: basics of diabetes management, carb counting, glucose monitoring, managing hypo attacks, and understanding and managing mood swings and depression.
- Conducted workshop with medical students on myths & misconceptions about diabetes among rural populations & how the medical community can help in this regard.
For more information: Harsh Kohli, harsh.diabetesindia@gmail.com, http://www.dakshamahealth.org
| In the lead-up to UHC Day 2020 (“Health for All: Protect Everyone”), we are highlighting how CSEM member organizations are contributing to ensure the COVID-19 response protects everyone and keeping momentum going for universal health coverage amid the crisis. See more.
Join us for the virtual UHC Day rally on 12 December 2020 — share your commitment to UHC and call on decision-makers to protect everyone! |
