Team Herald
PANJIM: State government has partnered with Sanofi India Limited to run its international programme KiDS (Kids and Diabetes in School). Health Minister Vishwajit Rane signed a memorandum of understanding with the company, a three year agreement to create awareness of diabetes amongst school children and management for a better quality of life.
“Goa’s population is facing diabetes-related issues that are growing at an alarming rate. Immediate action is required to curb this menace so that the State does not face repercussions in the future. We look forward to partnering with Sanofi in battling various non-communicable diseases, which are collectively known to be responsible for over 70 percent of all deaths, worldwide,” Rane said after the signing of the MoU between the Directorate of Health Services and the company.
He informed that through the collaboration, Sanofi India’s team of medical experts and diabetologists will educate and up skill the State Department’s healthcare personnel serving the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) cell and the Medical Officers of the Health and Wellness centers. The collaboration will also help to run the international programme KiDS (Kids and Diabetes in School), to raise awareness on diabetes amongst school children, Rane added.
Managing Director, Sanofi India Limited N Rajaram said that diabetes must be addressed both in clinics and hospitals, as well as in classrooms and homes. “We are committed to working closely with States and policy-makers in their progressive efforts to fight Non-Communicable Diseases. The impact of this three years CSR partnership will strengthen our fight against the diabetes epidemic,” he stated.
Rajaram said that the partnership would follow a two-pronged approach, first being where the training on diabetes management would be conducted; and the other is where the education and engagement about diabetes amongst school children, teachers and parents will help curtail the overall disease burden on the State.
