It comes as no surprise that the current pandemic has exacerbated already existing inequalities and has disproportionately affected the most vulnerable segments of our population. For instance, multiple scientific studies make a link between diabetes and a considerably more severe variety of COVID-19 as well as increased morbidity and mortality of people living with diabetes (PwD). However, while treating the virus, the round-the-clock management of diabetes should not be forgotten.
That’s why at Georgian Union of Diabetes and Endocrine Associations (GUDEAS), we came up with an initiative on in-hospital protocols ‘Management of Hyperglycaemia in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Infection’. Through this initiative, we provided recommendations for the management of DKA, HHS and hyperglycaemia in PwD who contracted the COVID-19 virus. Besides that, we have issued recommendations on nutritional intake for PwD who were placed in so-called ‘COVID zones’, such as hotels and hospitals. These were specifically designated areas for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.
Such protocols on the management of PwD and hyperglycaemia are a novelty in the Georgian health system and PwD were in urgent need of these recommendations that were produced through a working group comprised of leading professionals in the diabetes field. It was an important milestone for the diabetes community in Georgia as the protocols got a sign off from the Georgian Ministry of Health and were published on their website. We believe that even in the challenging public health environment of today, it’s crucial to accord special attention to PwD who have contracted the virus, while not forgetting about the specificities of their condition.