The Federal Ministry of Health has launched the icare initiative to commemorate the 2022 world diabetes day. The event with the theme, access to Diabetes care “Education to protect tomorrow” was commemorated in partnership with the royal Danish embassy, Novo Nordisk and other partners.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekumankama applauded the partnership with the Danish Embassy and Novo Nordisk, noting that with the increased prevalence of diabetes, improving capacity, treatment, support and increased awareness is required stem its tide.
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Jude Abonu of Novo Nordisk while unveiling the icare initiative said that with the cost of insulin being above the reach of most of the people mostly affected by diabetes, icare aims to defeat diabetes by improving capacities, affordability, reach and the empowerment of patients.
In a goodwill message, World Health Organisation representative Dr Walter Kazudi Mulumbo said there is an urgent need to move access to diabetic care from sick care to health care, encompassing a prevention and treatment approach for the 524 million adults living with diabetes millitus through strategic accelerated collaboration.
Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria Mr. Sune Krogstrup in his remarks commended the collaborations with Nigeria, adding that the Launch of the icare program by Novo Nordisk would collectively improve the lives of people, especially low income vulnerable elderly retirees over the age of 55 , with limited income and health coverage, living with diabetes to defeat the disease.
The event also featured the presentation of the signed memorandum of understanding between the Federal Ministry of Health, Danish Embassy, Novo Nordisk and other partners to the public. It also highlighted the need to include diabetes test as part of the compulsory routine tests for Nigerians to reduce the spate of diabetes. icare targets reaching 12,000 patients with affordable insulin and ensuring that no child dies from type 1 diabetes through its Changing Diabetes in Children Programme.
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