In tandem with Special Olympics Rwanda and the Rwanda Diabetes Association, the Lions Club Kigali Doyen set up a diabetes screening session for 50 people with intellectual disabilities, 50 family members, and 50 Special Olympics staff as well as volunteers
On November 25, a diabetes screening session was carried out effectively by the joint effort of a non-governmental organization with a wide range of projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of children with intellectual disabilities, and a network of volunteers who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities. An activity that directly involved the Rwanda Diabetes Association considering they are the only ones who can follow up on positive cases.
The campaign aligns with the mobilization period to raise diabetes awareness, which has been observed internationally on November 14th since 1991.
Lions Club Kigali President, Mr. Jules Ngoga, said that this event was held to commemorate the International Diabetes Day.
He said, “World Diabetes Day was commemorated on September 14th. In this regard, we joined forces with 70 of our Ugandan colleagues to test children with intellectual disabilities and their families. The most crucial aspect, however, is that they will be diagnosed and monitored by Rwanda Diabetes Association”
The aim of this screening is to raise awareness of the harmful effects and extent of diabetes, preventive measures such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity, normal weight and avoiding tobacco consumption, as well as the discipline that comes with being screened for diabetes.
The collaboration between those entities is crucial, given that diabetes is one of the Lions Club‘s global priority causes, alongside sight, the fight against hunger, childhood cancer, environmental protection and youth, while the Rwandan Diabetics Association aims to improve the living conditions of diabetics in Rwanda and to defend the cause of diabetics.
Special Olympics Rwanda, on the other hand, aspires for inclusive health for people with intellectual disabilities and will benefit from the screening since all beneficiaries are athletes, their families, and other sports personnel from SOR community.
Mrs Shilla Ndegeya is the National Director of Special Olympics Rwanda. She told the reporters that the exercise was done to help parents learn about their own and their children’s health.
She said; “We normally conduct the screening on a yearly basis, but this year we were fortunate to have additional partners, Lions Club Kigali and Rwanda Diabetes Association. Even though we already had a network with the Lions Club International as they finance some of our projects linked to educating parents of children with intellectual disabilities.”
“This is our first diabetes screening, and it’s very special since the parents who bring their children will get tested as well. The Rwanda Diabetes Association will notify us on the results and then assist us in following up with people who are found to be diabetic.” Mrs Ndegeya added
The screening will undoubtedly benefit several Special Olympics Rwanda athletes. Especially those planning for the Regional and Provincial Games in January 2024
