Children and youngsters were informed on living with diabetes…Cyprus Diabetic Children and Youth Camp was held with the initiation of University of Kyrenia.
Date Added: 29 July 2019, 08:18
Last Updated Date:18 November 2020, 12:58

Through cooperation between Department of Paediatric Endocrinologyof Faculty of Medicine of University of Kyrenia, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology of Faculty of Medicine of Near East University, Cyprus Turkish Diabetics Association and Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases unit of Dr Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital, a Cyprus Diabetic Children and Youth Camp was recently held.

It was announced that with the support of the Youth Office of the Prime Ministry, the camp was held at Lapta Youth Camp and diabetic children and youngsters aged 9-18 camped. The children and youth were provided information on causes of hypo and hyperglycaemia, clinical findings, precautions to be taken, sugar and ketone in blood and urine, insulin types, injection techniques,the importance of the habit of doing sports and exercise, what to consider while doing sports, nutritional characteristics and order of diabetes, complications of diabetes and ways to avoid them. Furthermore, they were informed on the significance of follow-up criteria in diabetes and both theoretically and practically and were also trained psychosocially.

An opportunity for both Education and Entertainment…
A medical student guided the children who were divided into four groups and stayed together throughout the camp.The children gathered information intensively while making new friends.In addition to their training on diabetes, the campers also participated in sports activities such as swimming, water polo, volleyball, basketball and football.

Camps Contribute to Children's Psychosocial Development…
The executive director of the camp, academic member of Department of Child Health and Diseases, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Dean of Faculty of Medicine of University of Kyrenia, Prof. Dr. Rüveyde Bundak, made a statement regarding the matter and said that camps contributed to the psychosocial development of children. Moreover,Prof. Dr. Bundakalso stated that they can overcome the lack of knowledge about life as a diabetic and thus they can better control their diabetes by taking care of themselves.Prof. Dr. Bundak emphasised that these types of camps should be evaluated within the framework of preventive medicine because good diabetes care prevents complications.

Promotes Hope…
On the other hand, academic member of the Faculty of Medicine of Near East University, Assist Prof Dr. Neşe Akcan also expressed her feelings and thoughts on the matter and expressed that the information and friendships they gain in such camps give diabetic individuals the power to look to the future with greater hope.