The Diabetes Youth Care (DYC), an organization that supports young people living with diabetes, has organized a day-long boot camp to equip participants with knowledge and strategies for managing the condition effectively.
The event, held at the weekend in Wa, Upper West Region, brought together young diabetics and healthcare professionals to share experiences and best practices.
Speaking at the event, Rashad Abdul-Moomin, a Regional Executive member of DYC, said the boot camp was aimed at bringing young diabetics together for a day of fun and education to ensure effective diabetes management.
“One thing is that, for one to be able to manage the condition, you first of all, must learn about it to know what it is, and then you can talk of its management,” he noted.
He stated that the boot camp was an annual initiative designed not only to provide knowledge but also to create a supportive environment where young diabetics, referred to as “warriors,” could relax and connect with others facing similar challenges.
“DYC holds annual camps for the warriors [young people with diabetes] at a particular location, where they meet from different parts of the country, learn more about the condition and have fun to release stress and stay strong,” he said.
Abdul-Moomin appealed to the public to avoid stigmatizing individuals with diabetes, as he explained that it is a non-communicable condition.
“The only reason you will run away from someone who has a condition is if the condition is transferable, here is the case, the condition is not communicable, so why run away and stigmatize the person,” he said.
He encouraged everyone to get tested to know their status and take proactive steps in managing their health.
Madam Bintu Iddrisu, a healthcare professional at the Diabetes Clinic of the Wa Municipal Hospital, sharing insights on the nature of diabetes, explained that the condition occurs when the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels properly.
She explained that there were two main types of diabetes: Type 1, which is often diagnosed in younger individuals and involves the body’s failure to produce insulin. Type 2 is commonly associated with lifestyle factors and is characterized by low insulin production or insulin resistance by the body.
Iddrisu noted that the collaboration between the hospital and DYC, over the past three years, has been impactful.
She noted that the initiative had empowered young diabetics in the region, providing them with the tools and confidence needed to manage their condition and lead fulfilling lives.
“Some of them, at first when you see them, you notice that they are really sick, not because of the condition but due to fear, anxiety, and timidity; but now, following the camps they have attended, they are all over looking bright,” she observed.
One of the participants, Hasinat Hussein, a young diabetic who has been part of DYC, said joining DYC has significantly improved her understanding of diabetes and provided her with coping mechanisms.
She also noted that the organization had supported her with essential supplies, such as medication and test kits, enabling her to monitor her blood sugar levels.
“Even though I had not met them [DYC] in person yet, I receive their support each time I visit the Municipal Hospital. They give us medical supplies and glucometers to check ourselves,” she said.
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