In 2021, a task force was established in Odesa to address medical assistance for children with diabetes. This initiative effectively combined the efforts of local authorities, healthcare institutions, NGOs, and parents to enhance the quality of life for children with diabetes.
Last year, Odesa began its first procurement of insulin pumps for children with diabetes under the City Health Program.
Over the past two years, 36 insulin pumps have been purchased and installed with city budget funds, and 58 children were provided with necessary supplies.
For children with diabetes, having a pump for automatic insulin delivery means no injections and less stress, precise dosing, timely insulin administration, prevention of complications, and the ability to lead an active lifestyle.
Additionally, children with diabetes receive free installation of continuous glucose monitoring systems. By 2024, over 200 monitoring systems have been installed, which helped prevent significant daily fluctuations in blood sugar levels and avoid debilitating complications.
At the Children's Consulting and Diagnostic Center named after Acad. B. Y. Reznik, an educational project called the "Diabetes School" has been launched. It provides training for children with diabetes and their parents on improving quality of life, ensuring proper nutrition, engaging in sports, and more. Together with the NGO "Psychological Space of CDC", psychological support training sessions for children with diabetes and their families are also conducted here.
This year, with the support of the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Science of the Odesa City Council, a project to raise awareness about diabetes for staff in general educational schools has been initiated. Information on recognizing emergency conditions and providing first aid to children with diabetes has already been provided to 50 educators, and the educational project continues.
"Odesa is the only city in Ukraine that has massively installed such a number of insulin pumps for children with diabetes in outpatient settings in recent years. Overall, Odesa holds leading positions in funding medical assistance for children with diabetes from the city budget," stated Valentina Velichko, director of the Reznik Center.
