Mount Kenya University Rwanda is taking part in a week-long series of activities to celebrate World Diabetes Day by holding a screening camp at Nyanza Bus Park in Kicukiro District on Nov 13 and 14.

The camp will focus on educating the public on the various methods of preventing and being healthy. The exercise will be carried out by the School of Nursing and Public Health.

The events, which started on Nov. 7 and will run up to Nov 14 on World Diabetes Day, is being organized by the Rwanda Diabetes Association (RDA) in partnership with Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).

It activity will provide an opportunity to raise awareness and advocate for the people living with diabetes with emphasis on healthy lifestyle, human rights of people with diabetes, obesity and issues relating to diabetes in children and adolescents, the spread of diabetes among the vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of the community.

RDA is observing the week by conducting several events that include: consultative and advocacy workshops, sensitizing campaigns in public places such as markets, car parks and schools, diabetes screening, radio and TV talk shows, and provision of glucometers and batteries to vulnerable patients.

The director of RDA, Uwigabire Etienne said that he was happy to work with Mount Kenya University Rwanda because of its competency in the field of health sciences.

 "We chose to invite the university because they train health professionals who can help to contribute to meeting our goals of preventing and treating diabetic patients in the country,” said Etienne.

Mount Kenya University Rwanda Vice-Chancellor Designate. Prof Edwin Odhuno, said the university is committed to support in fighting the disease by training health workers and to strengthen the health systems in the country to prevent, diagnose and manage diabetes.

"We know the burden this disease has on the people with diabetes and on their families. We must strive to identify innovative ways to overcome barriers to the provision and accessing of essential health services,” said Odhuno

Mount Kenya University Rwanda is playing a key role in training health workers that will contribute to improving access and quality health care for the population.

The world health report 2006: Working together for health, highlighted a world shortage of almost 4.3 million Doctors, midwives, nurses and support workers. Thirty-six of the 57 countries with severe shortages are in Africa.

The Ministry of Health has a strategic plan from 2009-2012 that among others focuses on increasing training for health professionals to address the challenges.

 "We are committed to play our role of training to support the government efforts as well as engage actively with various communities and organizations like Kicukiro district to improve the public health,” said Dr. Connie Mureith, Head of School of Nursing.

This years’ world Diabetes Day theme is "access to diabetes care”