WDF’s 2025 fundraiser 'Improving diabetes control and quality of life for children in Uzbekistan’' aims to improve the health and quality of life of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in rural areas, as well as building capacity among parents and school staff to create a supportive environment and reduce the stigma that children face.
WDF’s 2025 fundraiser 'Improving diabetes control and quality of life for children in Uzbekistan’' aims to improve the health and quality of life of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in rural areas, as well as building capacity among parents and school staff to create a supportive environment and reduce the stigma that children face.
The project will be rolled out by UMID Сharity union of persons with disabilities and people with diabetes mellitus in Uzbekistan.
In Uzbekistan, children with T1D face many challenges, with stigmatisation leading to concealment of the condition, poor management, and health complications. The absence of qualified physicians and psychologists in rural areas leaves these children and their parents without the necessary support.
Furthermore, parents grapple with complex emotions, which can negatively impact their child's diabetes management. The lack of diabetes awareness among teachers and school nurses and the absence of specialised health education further isolates the children, affecting their physical and psychological development.
Our 2025 fundraising project aims to address these issues by improving access to qualified care, providing psychological support, raising awareness about T1D in schools, and establishing summer health camps for children with T1D.
To improve the management and treatment of T1D in children and adolescents, the project aims to develop self-monitoring training programs for the school staff and parents, based on the IDF KIDS modules “Children and Diabetes at School”.
The activities will also focus on organising summer health camps for children and adolescents with T1D. Here a dedicated team of medical professionals will provide essential self-care skills, dietary guidance, exercise routines, and psychological support, empowering these young individuals to confidently manage their condition. In addition, it will establish parent self-support groups and facilitate online training seminars, fostering a comprehensive support network for families navigating the challenges of T1D.
The project will run for 15 months from January 2025 to March 2026 and will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Education, The Trade Union and Endocrinology dispensaries of the five pilot regions.
Its targets include:
105 children and adolescents with T1D from socially vulnerable families will participate in a summer health camp, ’Happy Childhood - defeating diabetes’, to improve their health and diabetes management skills, and receive psychological support.
400 school teachers and 300 school nurses will receive training on T1D, enabling them to better support students with the condition. The trained nurses will be equipped to handle hypo- and hyperglycemic episodes and monitor blood sugar levels, particularly around physical activities.
300 parents of children with T1D will access education on the disease and how to manage insulin therapy, blood sugar levels, nutrition, and physical activity. 'Hand in Hand’’ parent support groups will also be created, providing a platform for the parents to connect and assist each other.
Online self-monitoring training seminars will be created for children and adolescents with T1D and their parents. They will also be supported by an endocrinologist, a psychologist, and a nutritionist, providing expert advice and guidance.