- According to Roche chairman Dr Severin Schwan, the contribution nurses make to patients is undeniable, particularly in Africa which is characterised by socioeconomic inequalities in access to care for patients.
- Currently operational in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and India, the NoD programme successfully embodies the Roche commitment to empower nurses.
- Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in- vitro diagnostics.
Governments and healthcare organisations are being urged to invest in Nurse Education to boost diabetes care in Africa.
This call to action emerged during the launch of Roche’s online course dubbed Nurses on Diabetes (NoD).
Despite nursing’s vital role in healthcare service delivery, the sector has continued to face neglect and frustration, making it near impossible for the nurses to discharge their duties effectively.
According to Beth Wangui Kairu, a registered nurse and diabetes nurse educator at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, NoD has enabled nurses to share vital, up-to-date knowledge on diabetes and its management.
“At the clinic waiting bay, the nurses offer health talks on key topics in the management of diabetes, for example, diet, exercise, and how to monitor sugars and sugar checks at home. Our nurses are now confident because they have upgraded or have in depth knowledge on managing patients with diabetes,” says Ms Kairu.
Neglect and Frustration
She says the program has enabled nurses to recognise the needs, weaknesses, and gaps of their clients when they visit the clinic, providing appropriate education, to ensure clients have good glycemic control on their subsequent visits.
“Additionally, the clients are able to recognise and value the services provided by the clinic. When a client needs close follow up, the nurse follows up with them on a regular basis and gives them hotline numbers to call in case they have any questions,” added Ms Kairu.
According to Roche chairman Dr Severin Schwan, the contribution nurses make to patients is undeniable, particularly in Africa which is characterised by socioeconomic inequalities in access to care for patients.
Recognising Patient Needs
“In Africa, where healthcare resources are limited, nurses are the front line for patients managing diabetes. The Roche NOD online course is geared at overcoming barriers to healthcare education to bolster healthcare’s first line of defence,” says Dr Schwan.
He added that the programme goes beyond clinical education, incorporating coaching elements to promote a holistic approach to diabetes management.
The launch took place on International Nurses Day, celebrated on May 12, with the theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future.” This day emphasised the economic impact of care and diabetes solutions, highlighting the vital role of nurses in empowerment.
Currently operational in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and India, the NoD programme successfully embodies the Roche commitment to empower nurses.
According to Prof Dr Akiko Iwasaki, Professor of immunobiology at Yale University School of Medicine and Board Member at Roche, upskilling nurses will be instrumental in addressing widespread barriers to care.
She adds that these nurses connect with local communities and also empower them through education, potentially yielding significant societal and health economic benefits.
Significantly, the NOD course also offers comprehensive education and coaching elements for holistic diabetes management.
“NOD continues to provide additional knowledge and skills that vastly increase the nurses’ confidence in handling diabetic patients holistically – from diagnosis right through to when the patient has been stabiliSed, and then in discussing how patients can manage themselves,” Ms Kairu explains some of the NOD’s impact to date.
Benefits of NOD Programme
Responding to the challenges facing nursing sector in Africa, Susan Snell, Area Head IMEA 3, Roche Diabetes Care, says nursing training solutions are for everyone, as they have far reaching benefits – to patients, the economy, and the society at large.
“This complements Roche Diabetes Care’s commitment to improving access to care by supporting all aspects of care including education. Notably, concurrently, investing in nurse education benefits individual patients that help them understand their diabetes better, bring changes in their behaviour, and take charge of their diabetes management,” says Ms Snell.
Ms Snell says proper education trickles down to more effective glycemic control from the patient perspective, which is evident when they make the second visit.
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in- vitro diagnostics.
Personalised Diabetes Care
The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world.
“We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person, we partner with likeminded and varied stakeholders, and combine our strengths in diagnostics and pharma with data insights from the clinical practice,” says Andre Hoffmann.
Roche Diabetes Care (RDC) has been pioneering innovative diabetes technologies and services for more than 40 years; with over 4500 employees in over 100 markets worldwide who work every day to support people with diabetes and those at risk.
This provides true relief from the daily therapy routines.
As a global leader in integrated Personalised Diabetes Management (iPDM), Roche Diabetes Care collaborates with thought leaders around the globe, including people with disabilities, caregivers, healthcare providers and payers.
The care aims to transform and advance care provision and foster sustainable care structures. Under the brands Accu – Chek and mySugr, comprising glucose monitoring, insulin delivery systems and digital solutions, RDC unites with its partners to create patient centred value.
Responding to Challenges in Africa
“By building and collaborating in an open ecosystem, connecting devices and digital solutions as well as contextualising relevant data points, enabling deeper insights and a better understanding of the disease, leading to personalised and effective therapy adjustments,” Dr Iwasaki says.
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Roche’s call for increased investment in nurse education coincides with the recent strike by Kenya’s clinical officers, which rocked medical services in the country especially in the month of May 2024.
According to Peter Wachira, chairperson of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), the union reached agreements with the Ministry of Health on 7 out of the contentious 10 issues they had raised.
Key agreements included converting contract officers to permanent and pensionable terms. However, Wachira noted that the government has not shown sufficient goodwill in addressing the remaining concerns.
