MoH, Sanofi Launch Kids Programme To Combat Diabetes In Schools

The Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with Sanofi, has officially launched the Kids and Diabetes in Schools (KiDS) Programme under the Affordable Access to Diabetes Care (AADC) initiative.

This groundbreaking programme aims to raise awareness about diabetes and promote healthy lifestyles among junior high school students, teachers, and parents across Ghana.

It also forms part of Ghana’s broader strategy to prevent diabetes through early education and improve access to care in underserved communities.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Health, Dr. Ignatius Awinibuno, Director in charge of Allied Health at the Ministry, emphasized the urgent need to address the rising cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes among schoolchildren.

He outlined the programme’s three key focus areas: supporting children with type 1 diabetes to manage their condition confidently, reducing stigma and discrimination in schools, and preventing type 2 diabetes through healthy diets and lifestyle education.

According to him, the initiative will initially be rolled out in 13 public schools, with educational materials localized to suit the Ghanaian context. These materials, reviewed by relevant government and health agencies, will be integrated into school curricula through teacher training workshops, beginning in the Greater Accra Region.

Dr. Awinibuno reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that diabetes education reaches every corner of the country and announced that the programme has been officially handed over to the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education for nationwide implementation.

In his remarks, Dr. Ardilles Adopo, Medical Director at Sanofi, highlighted the company’s dedication to supporting people living with diabetes, particularly children.

He emphasized that since 2023, Sanofi has made significant contributions to diabetes care in Ghana, including supporting the dissemination of national diabetes guidelines, donating diabetes equipment to four health centers, mentoring 160 general practitioners, and enrolling over 240 healthcare professionals in global diabetes training.

He further revealed that through the KiDS Programme, Sanofi and the Ministry of Health will provide education to 7,700 children, parents, and teachers. Additionally, 35 teachers have been trained to lead school-based diabetes awareness efforts.

Mrs. Theresa Oppong Mensah, National SHEP Coordinator of the Ghana Education Service, expressed excitement about the initiative, stating that it addresses a critical gap in schools—namely, the lack of awareness and support for children living with or at risk of diabetes.

She underscored the importance of collaboration among teachers, parents, and stakeholders, and emphasized the need to expand the initiative nationwide while empowering children to serve as agents of change.

The event, held at the Ministry of Health, brought together key stakeholders, including Directors from the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Education Service, and representatives from Sanofi.