Senegal parents learn to manage child diabetes
An association organized a conference in Dakar to support parents of children with diabetes, aiming for better care and integration.
The Senegalese Association for the Support of Diabetics (Assad) held a public conference in Dakar on Tuesday, November 10, to educate parents of children with diabetes. The goal is to help children live with their illness without significant problems, under the theme 'Childhood Diabetes: Free Access, the Cdic Program Unveiled'. Organizers emphasized that children with diabetes should have the same opportunities for success as others.
Professor Babacar Niang, coordinator of the 'Change Diabetes in Children' (Cdic) program, reported that as of September 2026, approximately 1,915 children with diabetes were registered across Senegal's regions. To improve care, 273 health professionals have been trained, and six diabetes camps have been organized for 297 children. The mortality rate for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes has decreased from 6.7% in 2016 to 2.6% in 2022.
Baye Oumar Gueye, president of Assad, highlighted a concerning gap in care continuity between the national children's hospital and another facility, which hinders medical follow-up. Novo Nordisk laboratory has provided Assad with 7 tonnes of insulin stored at the National Pharmacy Supply. Dr. Seynabou Mbow from the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene pledged to raise awareness about the continuity of care issues for some diabetic children.
Why it mattersParents of the 1,915 registered children with diabetes in Senegal must now engage more actively in their children's treatment to ensure better care and manage the continuity of medical services.