Providing counselling for children living with diabetes in disadvantaged communities
In Cape Town, South Africa, many young people with diabetes witness gang violence, gender-based violence, poverty and food insecurity. These societal issues do not receive adequate attention, which impacts their diabetes care. While doctors can engage with adolescents living with diabetes on a technical and medical front, many families cannot focus on diabetes management due to these outside factors. This project aims to raise funds to hire a social worker to counsel children in diabetes clinics at Red Cross Children’s Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital. Additionally, a research study attached to the project will seek to highlight the need for counselling in all public clinics across the country.