Two things: Anybody got tips (or even just messages of sympathy and solidarity!) for people dealing with diabetes in undeveloped areas? And anybody want to donate Bayer Contour test strips, or know of an organization that could help me with that?
Here’s the story:
I work for a non-profit and am in Rwanda frequently. Unrelated to our work there, I have made a physician-friend who works at Centre Hospitalier, Kigali - Dr. Jean Bosco Kayinamura.
The hospital is woefully underfunded but does not turn anyone away. The problem I want to help with: a group in Switzerland donated Bayer Contour glucometers to the hospital, but no test strips, so the meters sit unused! The meter-donors have not responded to requests for test strips.
So - Do you have any connections to organizations that might be able to help CHK? Or would you be interested in donating Bayer Contour test strips? I go over every few months, so if you’re interested, I’d be able to take them with me. You can check out my org at www.africanroad.org. Here’s a photo of Dr. Bosco at one of our villages.
Secondly, I’ve been heart-broken to see how outdated and inaccessible diabetic care is in Rwanda. I have met a few diabetics there, and they are so amazed to hear what I can tell them about how to have a healthly life-style. I’ve even worked up my own carb-content list of typical Rwandan foods!
Do you have any other advice that you think might be helpful to people who live where supplies are not easy to get, and in pretty rustic settings? Or do you have messages you would like to pass on to our insulin-challenged brothers and sisters? I’m thinking I’ll make a booklet and get it translated to hand out over there.
I look forward to hearing what y’all think about this!