April 6, 2021
News
In Moldova, about 60,000 people suffer from type 2 diabetes. However, according to local doctors, the number might be much higher, even double. Due to the absence of a registry for diabetics in Moldova, a large proportion of potentially affected people do not receive any help. Caritas Czech Republic is trying to change that. We raise awareness about diabetes in the country and provide medical services to patients with the disease.
Practical brochure gives advice on how to live with diabetes
Caritas Czech Republic, together with a local partner, the HomeCare Association, has opened 10 home care centres in Moldova, which provide social and health services. One of the largest groups of people receiving help in these centres, are those diagnosed with diabetes.
“We have found that these people often do not know how to treat their illness and how to take care of themselves. They don’t know what diet is suitable for diabetes, how to measure the blood sugar level, or that they should maintain an adequate physical condition,” explains Anastasia Vrancean, project manager in Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova. “That’s why we created practical brochures that explain to people suffering from diabetes everything they need to know about the disease. We distributed these booklets to people in all 10 centres.”
The brochure is intended for people with diabetes. It is written in accessible language and contains practical tips on how to live with the disease. For example, patients find out which indicators should they monitor and how - such as blood sugar, blood pressure and more. At the same time, there is a list of recipes for meals suitable for diabetics. And, of course, the general rules which should be followed in this disease.
Help that is needed
“I learned how to measure blood sugar correctly, at what time and under what conditions, before or after a meal. Also, thanks to the guide, I found out how to take care of my feet and hands. The best part of this book, in my opinion, are the examples of food menus per day. This is very helpful,” says Maria, one of the patients, who received the brochure on diabetes from Caritas Czech Republic.
Another patient who visits the center opened by Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova also appreciates the booklet on diabetes. "I like that the brochure is simple and written for visually impaired people like me. I have received similar brochures on diabetes before, but I had difficulty keeping them together and finding the information I needed. But here, everything is in one book and easy to find,” mentions Nadejda.
We prepared and distributed brochures with information on diabetes in 2017 as part of a project funded by the Czech Development Agency. It is one of the activities through which we are trying to raise awareness about diabetes in Moldova. At the same time, we also support the development of legislation and normative framework relevant for the field.
