Digital Innovation for Diabetes Management in Delta State
The Delta State Government, in a strategic partnership with global healthcare company Sanofi, has officially launched a new digital monitoring tool designed to transform diabetes care for residents. This innovative solution was unveiled at the Asaba Specialist Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre, marking a significant advancement in the state's healthcare delivery system.
The digital platform is engineered to improve communication channels between healthcare providers and their patients, strengthen the overall monitoring of diabetes, and provide vital education to users about managing their condition effectively. This initiative represents a major milestone in the two-year diabetes care program collaboratively developed by Sanofi and Delta State, following a partnership agreement signed on September 21, 2023.
Expanding Access and Training Healthcare Workers
The rollout of this digital tool is not limited to the initial launch sites. In the coming weeks, the program will be expanded to include EKU Baptist Hospital and Central Hospital Agbor, widening its reach across the state. As part of the broader collaboration, Sanofi has already supplied high-quality basal analogue insulin for patients and delivered a second digital platform dedicated to training healthcare professionals.
This training component has already yielded substantial results, with more than 200 physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and community health workers receiving specialized instruction to improve diabetes monitoring and management for the communities they serve.
A Shared Commitment Against a Growing Health Threat
The Delta State Government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to combating the rising incidence of diabetes and hypertension, emphasizing the critical importance of prevention and enhanced care. Through its Ministry of Health, the state is an active participant in Project 10 Million, a national campaign aimed at reaching ten million Nigerians living with these non-communicable diseases.
To date, Delta State has made significant progress, having screened more than 150,000 people across all 25 Local Government Areas. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, highlighted the severe burden of diabetes in the region and detailed the state's ongoing efforts through integrated outreach programs. He stressed that tackling diabetes is a shared responsibility and explained that Sanofi was chosen as a partner due to its proven global dedication to improving diabetes care in low and middle-income regions.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Stephane Gokou, Sanofi’s Global Affordable Strategy Lead, stated that the company is working with governments in several countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa, to expand sustainable and equitable access to diabetes care. He emphasized that the partnership with Delta State is a direct reflection of Sanofi’s mission, with the new digital tool empowering patients to better understand their condition and improving dialogue with their healthcare teams.
This joint effort is particularly urgent given the alarming projections for diabetes in Africa. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that the number of people living with diabetes on the continent will surge from 24 million in 2021 to 55 million by 2045. In Nigeria, the situation is dire, with an estimated 3,623,500 adults living with diabetes, mostly Type 2, and approximately 51,035 children and adolescents affected by Type 1 diabetes. The Sanofi-Delta State partnership stands as a critical response to this growing health crisis, aiming to provide comprehensive care to underserved communities.
