August 2022
CENTRAL AFRICA MEDICAL MISSION
CENTRAL AFRICA MEDICAL MISSION
AUGUST 2022
AUGUST 2022
Diabetes, A Growing Public Health Concern
Diabetes, A Growing Public Health Concern
Zambia is one of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that is seeing an increase in the non-communicable diseases. This article focuses on the story of diabetic patients at the Lutheran Mission Rural Health Central (LMRHC) in Shibuyunji District of Central Province in Zambia. The number of adults with diabetes mellitus has been growing in recent years.
Zambia is one of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that is seeing an increase in the non-communicable diseases. This article focuses on the story of diabetic patients at the Lutheran Mission Rural Health Central (LMRHC) in Shibuyunji District of Central Province in Zambia. The number of adults with diabetes mellitus has been growing in recent years.
It is important to mention that the LMRHC is motivated to serve by Christ’s love. This has been demonstrated by all of our supporters who have helped in many different ways through donations of pill bottles, children’s clothes and money through the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM). It is the same support that has come down to help many of the patients at the LMRHC.
It is important to mention that the LMRHC is motivated to serve by Christ’s love. This has been demonstrated by all of our supporters who have helped in many different ways through donations of pill bottles, children’s clothes and money through the Central Africa Medical Mission (CAMM). It is the same support that has come down to help many of the patients at the LMRHC.
Management of patients can be a challenge especially with diabetes, because of the high cost of drugs which require a lifelong uptake and the multidisciplinary approach needed for a successful outcome.
Management of patients can be a challenge especially with diabetes, because of the high cost of drugs which require a lifelong uptake and the multidisciplinary approach needed for a successful outcome.
The LMRHC has 76 registered diabetic patients of which 19 are insulin dependent and 57 are non- insulin dependent. These patients come to clinic for drugs once a month. They are given health education on food and the importance of a diabetic diet. Mr Kalekwa, the Clinical officer in Charge checks their glucose and blood pressure. He gives them instructions when their glucose is high or very low. One day, he told these patients that the clinic is considering no longer providing diabetes medications for all those who come from outside of our catchment area. This brought a lot of discussion amongst the patients who started pleading and said, “stopping buying drugs for us would be a death sentence”. They said, some of them would have not been alive had it not been for LMRHC. The mission is helping a lot and it is like a mother to them. They brought up names of diabetic patients who died when they left the area. Patients said they are poor and cannot afford to buy drugs. Some of them told stories of how they suffered before they started treatment. Because of good care, testing of glucose and health education, patients find our clinic to be the best in diabetic services. Three patients come all the way from Lusaka, five from Kabwe rural. One patient came all the way from Kasama in Northern province of Zambia. She was in a very bad state. The clinic managed to control her glucose. After four months, she requested to be transferred to Nangoma Mission Hospital. Due to poor management there, the patient was brought back to our clinic (LMRHC). The members of staff at LMRHC understand that if diabetic patients stop taking drugs, they can have complications and then later die.
The LMRHC has 76 registered diabetic patients of which 19 are insulin dependent and 57 are non- insulin dependent. These patients come to clinic for drugs once a month. They are given health education on food and the importance of a diabetic diet. Mr Kalekwa, the Clinical officer in Charge checks their glucose and blood pressure. He gives them instructions when their glucose is high or very low. One day, he told these patients that the clinic is considering no longer providing diabetes medications for all those who come from outside of our catchment area. This brought a lot of discussion amongst the patients who started pleading and said, “stopping buying drugs for us would be a death sentence”. They said, some of them would have not been alive had it not been for LMRHC. The mission is helping a lot and it is like a mother to them. They brought up names of diabetic patients who died when they left the area. Patients said they are poor and cannot afford to buy drugs. Some of them told stories of how they suffered before they started treatment. Because of good care, testing of glucose and health education, patients find our clinic to be the best in diabetic services. Three patients come all the way from Lusaka, five from Kabwe rural. One patient came all the way from Kasama in Northern province of Zambia. She was in a very bad state. The clinic managed to control her glucose. After four months, she requested to be transferred to Nangoma Mission Hospital. Due to poor management there, the patient was brought back to our clinic (LMRHC). The members of staff at LMRHC understand that if diabetic patients stop taking drugs, they can have complications and then later die.
Through your generosity all who come to our door will hear the Word of God, receive Christ-centered Heath Care and all of our diabetic patients will receive medications no matter where they come from.
Through your generosity all who come to our door will hear the Word of God, receive Christ-centered Heath Care and all of our diabetic patients will receive medications no matter where they come from.
God chose us to do the work that He already prepared for HIS children to do, As His children we are merely the “vessels” to carry out the mission left by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV) “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
God chose us to do the work that He already prepared for HIS children to do, As His children we are merely the “vessels” to carry out the mission left by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV) “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Alisad Banda, Clinic Administrator- Zambia
Alisad Banda, Clinic Administrator- Zambia
Christ Centered Healthcare Supporting the Gospel Ministry
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