New Therapeutic Education Center Opens at CHU Rabat to Support Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Morocco ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of type 1 diabetes in children, with over 43,000 cases reported in individuals under the age of 19. In a significant step to address this pressing health issue, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and the Moroccan Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (SMEDIAP) officially inaugurated a new therapeutic education center at the University Hospital (CHU) in Rabat on Tuesday. This center is a key part of the “Changing Diabetes in Children” (CDiC) initiative, designed to provide specialized care to children living with type 1 diabetes and their families.

The newly established center is equipped with modern resources, expert staff, and comprehensive educational programs aimed at improving diabetes management. The focus is not only on medical care but also on empowering families and patients through therapeutic education, which is essential for long-term diabetes management.

In October 2023, Novo Nordisk and SMEDIAP signed a partnership agreement to enhance the lives of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Morocco. Their collaboration targets areas such as education, access to treatment, and support systems, emphasizing the need for a multi-faceted approach to diabetes care.

Since its establishment in 2009, the CDiC initiative has worked in low- and middle-income countries, aiming to improve healthcare outcomes for children with type 1 diabetes. The program focuses on four key components: patient education, healthcare professional capacity building, improving access to care, and ensuring a consistent supply of insulin and monitoring equipment.

During the inauguration of the center, SMEDIAP President Farina Jennane highlighted the importance of educational programs in managing diabetes. She explained that efforts to combat the disease go beyond diagnosis and medication. These programs are designed to help patients and their families manage diabetes on a daily basis, which is crucial for effective treatment and quality of life. Jennane emphasized that this education cannot be completed in a brief hospital visit, but requires a structured, multi-level approach that includes doctors, pediatricians, diabetologists, nurse educators, and dietitians.

Jennane also spoke about Novo Nordisk’s continued support, noting that the company has committed to funding the initiative for the next four to five years and is dedicated to establishing additional centers across Morocco. Two centers are already operational: the Diabetic Hygiene House at the Mohamed V Foundation in Rabat and the Hayat Association in Casablanca.

Anas Jbari, head of the Division of Medical and Strategic Affairs at CHU Rabat, also underscored the significance of therapeutic education. He explained that such programs raise awareness about the disease, help families accept it, and teach them how to manage daily routines, treatments, and physical activities. The new center at CHU Rabat is equipped with dedicated rooms, staff, and specialized equipment to support children and their families in managing type 1 diabetes.

Jbari further noted that CHU Rabat had already established a unit for children with diabetes, but the growing prevalence and severity of the disease made it clear that additional resources and support were necessary. He described the opening of this new center as a crucial step toward enhancing the management of type 1 diabetes in Morocco.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that arises when the body destroys insulin-producing cells. It typically affects children and young adults, requiring daily insulin injections and continuous education and support. According to the International Diabetes Federation, Morocco has one of the highest prevalence rates of type 1 diabetes in children, with over 43,000 cases among individuals under 19 years old.

Given the country's significant challenge, Olla Al Refai, General Manager of Novo Nordisk, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting Morocco through initiatives like CDiC. She explained that Morocco is a focal market for Novo Nordisk, and the company is dedicated to partnering with the public sector through public-private collaborations to help transform the care landscape for children with diabetes.

This new center at CHU Rabat represents an important step in the fight against type 1 diabetes in Morocco, offering hope to thousands of children and their families across the country.