Diabetes body launches new unit

Rwanda Diabetes Association (RDA) has set up a new department dubbed Nutrition Plus to offer services in the fight against non-communicable diseases.The department will focus on supporting the population to prevent poor nutrition through consumption of a single type of food that often results into diseases like diabetes.The support will be offered through sensitisation to promote balanced feeding and counselling to those already affected as well as provision of free treatment.RDA president, Francois Gishoma, disclosed that the department would manage a number of ailments including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, mellitus cancer, chronic respiratory disease and mental health problems, among others.“When treating patients suffering from these diseases, it is equally important for them to know the type of food to use or avoid,” Gishoma observed.He added that they have so far enlisted the services of three qualified and experienced health workers to run the programme.“There is need for patients to change from the type of food that led them into contracting these diseases or else, even the treatment may not be effective,” he advised.The head of the newly inaugurated department, Anastasie Mukakayumba, stated that although people of various age groups would benefit, more efforts would be put in promoting nutrition among children below five years.“We will be charged with the responsibility of advising the public on the benefits of balancing their diet while counselling will be generalised to cover even those affected by other diseases, including HIV/Aids,” she noted.Established in 1997 to support diabetes patients, RDA has so far established health centres in Kigali and Gisenyi. A nationwide campaign spearheaded by the Ministry of Health was launched yesterday with the aim of fighting malnutrition in the country.

National

Diabetes body launches new unit