The Embassy of Denmark in Ghana hThe Embassy of Denmark in Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining interventions under the Children in Diabetes programme within Ghana’s health sector, following the enrolment of 800 beneficiaries nationwide.
The announcement was made at a stakeholders and partners’ meeting convened by the embassy on behalf of Novo Nordisk, where the enrolment milestone was highlighted as a significant step in improving access to life-saving diabetes care for children.
The programme offers affected children the opportunity to live healthier and more fulfilling lives through early intervention and sustained treatment.
The initiative underscores the critical importance of early diagnosis, improved access to affordable insulin, and strengthened psychosocial support systems for children and families managing diabetes, measures experts say are vital in addressing the rising burden of childhood diabetes in Ghana.
According to the Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Society of Ghana, there has been a growing incidence of diabetes among children in the country, with many cases, particularly type 2 diabetes, often diagnosed only after complications have already developed.
Across Africa, more than 24 million adults are currently living with diabetes, a figure projected to rise sharply to 55 million by 2045, health experts warn.
The disease already poses a major public health threat on the continent.
Data from the World Health Organization indicate that diabetes claims the lives of approximately 416,000 adults in Africa annually, with projections suggesting it could become one of the leading causes of death on the continent by 2030.
In Ghana, diabetes prevalence is estimated to range between 2.6 and 9 per cent, with the Ghana Health Servicerecording about 200,000 cases annually at health facilities across the country.
The programme is implemented in collaboration with key national and international partners, including the Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance Authority, Medtronic Labs, and the Ghana Association of Paediatric Endocrinologists.
Changing Diabetes in Children, a public–private partnership launched in 2009, focuses on improving access to quality diabetes care for children and young people with type 1 diabetes in low- and middle-income countries.
The initiative provides free life-saving insulin, blood glucose monitoring equipment, and essential medical supplies for beneficiaries under the age of 25.
Beyond treatment, the programme strengthens health systems by equipping healthcare professionals with training manuals, nursing guidelines, educational toolkits, and visual materials to enhance patient education and awareness.
It also works closely with national health authorities and local partners to establish sustainable clinic networks, reinforce cold-chain systems, and ensure a reliable supply of insulin and essential diabetes supplies for enrolled children.as reiterated its commitment to sustain interventions made by Children in Diabetes program in Ghana’s health sector after it recorded 800 beneficiaries.
The major highlight of the stakeholders and partners meeting convened by the embassy on behalf of Novo Nordisk was the enrollment of 800 children on the life saving program giving these children an opportunity to live a diabetes free life.
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