Skopje, 25 September 2023 (MIA) — The country's first-ever handbook for type 1 diabetes management in schools was launched Monday. It aims to help school personnel understand type 1 diabetes and how it impacts students' lives as well as provide students with type 1 diabetes a supportive learning environment.

Titled "A Protocol for Dealing with Children with Diabetes in Schools and Day Care Centers," the resource guide provides important information to educate school personnel in their important role of ensuring that students overcome challenging situations, including hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, according to Balance MK Association for Pediatric Diabetes of Macedonia president Natasha Despotovska Dimitrevska.

The handbook was developed with support of the Ministry of Health as a cooperative effort between patient organizations and endocrinologists, Deputy Minister of Health Maja Manoleva said at the launch.

She said that 960,000,000 denars had been earmarked from this year's budget for procuring insulin therapy as well as for educational purposes.

Most importantly, she highlighted, sensors for painless monitoring of glucose levels in children were expected to arrive soon.

Minister of Education and Science Jeton Shaqiri said everyone involved in the educational process should set a positive example and support all students equally.

Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy Enver Husejin said the manual would educate school and preschool staff as as they work to care for children with diabetes.

University Children's Clinic director Stojka Fushtikj welcomed the resource guide and discussed the ideas of promoting inclusive education and employing school nurses in the public education system. mr/