New Initiatives for Children with Diabetes in Odessa

In 2021, a working group was established in Odessa to address medical assistance for children with diabetes. This initiative allowed for a coordinated effort between city authorities, healthcare institutions, charity organizations, and the parents of diabetic children to improve their quality of life.

Last year, for the first time in Odessa, insulin pumps were purchased for children with diabetes through the City Target Program "Health".

Over two years, 36 insulin pumps were acquired and installed using city budget funds, and 58 children were provided with necessary supplies for these pumps.

For children with diabetes, the availability of insulin pumps means no more injections and reduced stress, accurate dosing, timely insulin delivery, and a significant reduction in diabetes complications, allowing them to lead active lives.

Additionally, children with diabetes are provided with free installation of continuous glucose monitoring systems. By 2024, over 200 monitoring systems have already been installed, preventing significant daily fluctuations in blood sugar levels and avoiding debilitating complications.

At the Children's Consultative and Diagnostic Center named after Acad. B. Ya. Reznik, the educational project "Diabetes School" has been launched. This program provides training for children with diabetes and their parents on improving life quality, ensuring proper nutrition, engaging in sports, and more. Together with the NGO "Psychological Space of the CDC", psychological support training for children with diabetes and their families is also conducted.

This year, with the support of the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Science of the Odessa City Council, a project has been initiated to raise awareness about diabetes among staff at general educational schools in the city. 50 educators have already received information on how to recognize emergencies and provide first aid to children with diabetes, and the educational project continues.

"Odessa is the only city in Ukraine that has massively installed such a number of insulin pumps for children with diabetes in an outpatient setting in recent years. Overall, Odessa holds a leading position in funding medical assistance for children with diabetes from the city budget," noted the director of the Reznik Center, Valentina Velichko.