Friday 5 April 2013

Our Emotional Meeting with Omolade a Nigerian T1DM Child




From Left to Right (Dr Adekoya, Omolade, Her Mom)

Omolade is a 13 year old Nigerian Type 1 DM.
For her having Diabetes Mellitus wasn't something she bargained for.

Dr. Mrs Fetuga (Consultant Peadiatric Endocrinlogist at OOUTH with Omolade during one of her sessions )

Meeting with her was facilatated through our collaborative partnership with the Paediatric endocrinology department of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (O.O.U.T.H), Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Dr Mrs. Fetuga (Consultant, peadiatric endocrinologist at O.O.U.T.H) and Dr. Adekoya (Senior Registrar, peadiatrics department OOUTH)



Diabetes mellitus type 1 (also known as type 1 diabetes, or T1DM; formerly insulin dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes) is a form of diabetes mellitus that results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The subsequent lack of insulin leads to increased blood and urine glucose.
The classical symptoms are frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, and weight loss. (source wikipedia)

Tears of Joy fills Omolayo's Eyes as she sees herself in the Big Family united by D.

Tears of joy flowed through her eyes as she went through our album of PWDs all over the world who identifies with her, understands how she feels and sees her as family.


Omolade is a girl filled with bitterness wondering why God had given her a disease she has to live with forever despite adequate explanation and suport from her HCP.


Her hope was re-kindled knowing and practically seeing that she is not alone and she has thousands of children like her all over the world with T1DM, including adults.
This gives us an idea of a need for peer support for T1 PWDs in Nigeria where everyone can relate, interact and socialize.

Speaking with her mom about the financial implication on the family, she explains she spends N1,400 ($9) per vial and omolade uses 6 vials in a month making a total of ($54); this excludes the cost of glucometer and consumables.
This cost for a low income family in a developing country is burdensome and we aim through our partners to make this available thereby putting a smile on Omolara's face and that of the family.

We have been in constant touch since our meeting on the 4th of April and we have seen the joy associated with having a family united by D.

We wish to use this medium to appreciate the Peadiatric Endocrinology unit of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria for their support.
For every Nigerian T1DM Child we are committed to giving them the support they deserve.

Here's a call to HCPs, Health Care Givers, Diabetes Advocates and PWDs to identify with T1 children towards giving them the emotional support needed to encourage and motivate them towards a proper self management of D.
Do you know any Type 1 Nigerian Child please feel free to inform us.

Follow us on @theNGdoc or email us thengdoc@gmail.com

2 comments:

  1. Nice work there, more power to your elbow. This is a call to us all to contribute our quota in putting smiles on the faces of these innocent kids. T1 DM is not their fault, its a genetic condition beyond their control. We can make them feel happier and they can live very good lives! Our social, financial and emotional supports will go a long way to help out.

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