A collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Sanofi has birthed the Kids and Diabetes in Schools (KiDS) Programme under the Affordable Access to Diabetes Care (AADC) initiative.

This initiative is expected to raise awareness about diabetes and promote healthy lifestyles among junior high school students, teachers, and parents across the country.

Through the KiDS Programme, Sanofi and the Ministry of Health will provide education to 7,700 children, parents, and teachers. Already, 35 teachers have been trained to lead school-based diabetes awareness efforts.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Health, Honourable Mintah Akandoh, Director in charge of Allied Health at the Ministry, Dr. Ignatius Awinibuno, noted that the programme focuses on three key areas.

These include supporting children with type 1 diabetes to manage their condition confidently, reducing stigma and discrimination in schools, and preventing type 2 diabetes through healthy diets and lifestyle education.

He bemoaned the rising cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes among schoolchildren.

The rollout of the initiative will commence with 13 public schools and see to the provision of educational materials that have been reviewed by relevant government and health agencies. They have been localized to suit the Ghanaian context.

The materials will be integrated into school curricula through teacher training workshops, beginning in the Greater Accra Region.

The programme has been officially handed over to the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education for nationwide implementation.

Dr. Awinibuno reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that diabetes education reaches every corner of the nation.

Medical Director at Sanofi, Dr Ardilles Adopo, who assured the company’s dedication to supporting people living with diabetes, particularly children, noted that since 2023, Sanofi has made significant contributions.

These include supporting the dissemination of national diabetes guidelines, donating diabetes equipment to four health centers, mentoring 160 general practitioners, and enrolling over 240 healthcare professionals in global diabetes training.

National SHEP Coordinator of the Ghana Education Service, Mrs. Theresa Oppong Mensah, is optimistic about the initiative. She said it addresses a critical gap in schools, such as the lack of awareness and support for children living with or at risk of diabetes.

She highlighted the importance of collaboration among teachers, parents, and stakeholders, and stressed the need to expand the initiative nationwide while empowering children to serve as agents of change.

The event, held at the Ministry of Health, brought together key stakeholders, including Directors from the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Education Service, and representatives from Sanofi.