Project 1–Young Diabetes Capacity Building Project Suva, Nausori Area

Young Diabetic communities to be empowered to take ownership of their diabetes through the creation of Young Diabetes Community Peer Groups (DCPG). It develops a sense of camaraderie enhances sharing of knowledge amongst peers and provides glucometer to assist monitoring and continuous care.
The objective of the project is to reduce admission and readmission of YPLDM, reduce the early onset of complications and improve better health and wellbeing through social and emotional support.

The Project has facilitated two training for its members in the Suva Nausori area. Currently, we enrolled 35 members in the Project below the age of 30years. The members meet up for peer meeting once a quarter but during this pandemic, peer meeting has been facilitated virtually. Continuous care has been improved with a dropped in default rate among members also better family support.

Peer support groups have also been established among cares and parents as they are the backbone of care for YPLDM. The meeting has been an eye-opener to many as parents lack the understanding of the conditions, how to manage their children during their pain, how to motivate them, how to monitor their medications and diet, and ensure there are adhering to the advice given from Medical Professionals.

Currently, the Project officers are visiting schools that enrolled YPLDM to better understand the condition and provide a supportive environment for learning.

Above are pictures taken from the YDF training facilitated by the Hub and Pediatric Unit

Left is peer meeting for carers and parents, right is peer meeting for YDF members with Hub staffs

YDF Members conducted school outreach awareness to Waidina Secondary School in the Province of Naitasiri

YDF Members conducted awareness during the National Special Olympic Meet in Suva

Community outreach with Sai Prema Foundation and Suva Health Office, Suva Subdivision.

Continuous care was conducted virtually during this pandemic through the 165 telemedicine delivery of medicine.