Roche Diabetes Care has called on government, healthcare and philanthropic organisations to improve diabetes care across Africa and invest more in nursing education.
Roche Diabetes Care, a Switzerland-based pharmaceutical organisation, has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company, with a presence in African countries including Nigeria.
In Nigeria, Roche is in partnership with the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja for the training of nurses on care for the disease.
The Assistant Director, of Nursing Service, Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, Chioma Nwankwo and one of the facilitators, while speaking at this year’s Diabetes Day, commended Roche for sponsoring the programme.
She said the theme for this year’s programme specifically highlighted the economic power of care and diabetes solutions companies like Roche Diabetes Care (RDC).
Nwankwo called for adequate value and recognition of nurses due to their greater social and economic impact on bringing and ensuring quality healthcare services.
According to her, the contributions nurses make to patients are undeniable, particularly in Africa – a continent characterised by socioeconomic inequalities in access to care for patients.
“In this context, RDC has launched the ‘Nurses on Diabetes (NOD)’ online course to help address the gaps.
“Nurses who have participated in the NOD programme thus far have acquired valuable skills and knowledge regarding the management of diabetic patients.
“Nurses are taught to easily observe the signs and symptoms of diabetes in patients that access care in our facility – especially those working in the emergency unit, medical and surgical wards.
“Nurses can now efficiently study and analyse patients’ laboratory results and categorise patients according to the stage of the disease,” she said.
According to her, the knowledge acquired from the NOD programme has also enabled the nurses to engage in meaningful discussions with other healthcare providers.
“This has translated to making accurate diagnosis and implementing more comprehensive treatment plans for patients.
Also speaking, the Area Head IMEA 3, at Roche, Susan Snell said “Nursing training solutions are for everyone, as they have far-reaching benefits – to patients, the economy, and society at large.
“This complements Roche Diabetes Care’s commitment to improving access to care by supporting all aspects of care including education.
“Notably, concurrently investing in nursing education benefits individual patients that helps them understand their diabetes better.
“Bring changes in their behaviour and take charge of their diabetes management,” she added.
Similarly, the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, and a Roche facilitator, Dorcas Kajang said in Africa, where healthcare resources are limited, nurses were the front line for patients managing the disease.
“NOD has expanded my knowledge and strengthened my understanding of the recent studies done on diabetes.
“The diabetes training has afforded me the opportunity to relearn and unlearn and has equipped me to deliver high-quality nursing services that meet international best practices regarding caring for clients with diabetes,” she disclosed.
Kajang said that currently operational in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and India, the NOD programme successfully embodies the Roche commitment to empower nurses.
According to the Roche facilitator, upskilling nurses will be instrumental in addressing widespread barriers to care.
“These nurses connect with local communities and also empower them through education, potentially yielding significant societal and health-economic benefits.
“Significantly, the NOD course also offers comprehensive education and coaching elements for holistic diabetes management.”
NAN
