The NGO VISA goes to war against gestational diabetes in pregnant women

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Extract from the article: Every 14 November, the international community observes World Diabetes Day to raise public awareness of the growing burden of this disease and the strategies that need to be implemented to prevent and cope with the threat it poses. The theme chosen f

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Every 14 November, the international community observes World Diabetes Day to raise public awareness of the growing burden of this disease and the strategies that need to be implemented to prevent and cope with the threat it poses. The theme chosen for 2023 is « Access to diabetes care ». It underlines the importance of prevention and response efforts. In Togo, the NGO Volontaires Internationaux pour la promotion de la Sante en Afrique (VISA) has not stood on the sidelines of this day. In collaboration with the Lions Club, it organised an awareness-raising and screening session on gestational diabetes. The campaign, which took place on 14 November 2023 at the Centre Medico-Social (CMS) Adidogomé, brought together around a hundred pregnant women, who were given free blood glucose tests. The initiative is part of the « Sugar and natality; awareness, management and support for women with gestational diabetes » project.

All pregnant women are at risk of developing gestational diabetes. It is detected during pregnancy.If not diagnosed and treated in time, gestational diabetes can lead to severe complications for both mother and foetus.Aware of this situation, the NGO VISA, in collaboration with the Lions Clubs, held an awareness-raising and screening event for pregnant women at the Adidogomé CMS in Lomé to combat the disease.The initiative reflects VISA's ongoing commitment to maternal and child health through the Sugar and Natality project.

According to Sylvie Awouté, Programme Director of the NGO VISA, the aim is to inform women and, above all, to encourage them to undergo early screening for diabetes. « Gestational diabetes is a reality that affects many pregnant women, and its implications for maternal and child health are significant.We've noticed that the prevalence of women dying from gestational diabetes is rising in Togo. Our project aims to raise awareness, provide essential support and facilitate early detection to ensure appropriate care. Through this project, VISA wants to play its part in reducing infant and women's mortality ».

A better understanding of gestational diabetes

During the awareness-raising session, Labeque-Laré M'labe, midwife at the Adidogomé CMS, spoke to pregnant women about the causes, symptoms and risks of gestational diabetes, and above all about the lifestyle and diet needed to avoid the disease.  Diabetes is a disease characterised by hyperglycaemia or high blood sugar levels. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body is unable to use the insulin it does produce effectively.Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. « Pregnancy promotes diabetes, and having too much sugar can have long-term effects on the mother.In the case of gestational diabetes, the greatest risk for the baby is macrosomia, i.e. a birth weight that is too high, over 4 kg, leading to a difficult delivery and complications.For the mother-to-be, the biggest risk is pre-eclampsia associated with high blood pressure », explains Labeque-Laré M'labe, midwife.

« We informed pregnant women about the importance of early detection and healthy eating.  We showed them the difference between hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia in pregnant women. We also talked about the signs of hypoglycaemia in pregnant women, including fatigue, hunger, dizziness and fainting.These are the same signs as for hyperglycaemia, but in this case the pregnant woman has excessive thirst and insomnia.To prevent gestational diabetes, pregnant women should always control their diet.She should always eat less salt, less fat and less sugar, and above all eat fruit.She should also go for a walk », explained Labequé-Laré M'labe.At the CMS Adidogomé in 2023, 01 cases of gestational diabetes were recorded and referred to the CHU Sylvanus Olympio. 

The Rotary Club Lomé Zénith, the project's financial partner, welcomed the initiative of the NGO VISA, which fits in perfectly with its strategic priorities. « Maternal and child health and disease prevention are areas in which Rotary International is active, and this fits in perfectly with the « Sugar and Natality » project. That's why Rotary Club Lomé Zénith is working with the NGO VISA and the Lions Club to bring this project to fruition », explained Hugbeka Ata-Sée, President of Rotary Club Lomé Zénith.

Blood glucose meters and test strips were offered to pregnant women for screening purposes. Togo's diabetes rate has risen from 2.6% in 2010 to 6% in 2021.

William O.