Living Well with Diabetes: Empowering Communities Through Education, Support and Action

Kadoma Diabetes Workshop, March 2026

Knowledge is one of the most powerful medicines available to people living with diabetes. While insulin, glucose monitoring and regular clinical reviews remain essential, the ability to understand the condition, recognise warning signs, make informed decisions and seek timely support often determines whether someone merely lives with diabetes—or truly lives well despite it.

On 28 March 2026, the Diabetes Clinics at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Sally Mugabe Children's Hospital, together with healthcare professionals, diabetes advocates and community partners, brought this vision to life through a comprehensive Community Diabetes Workshop held at Kadoma General Hospital.

The workshop brought together children, adolescents, young adults and adults living with diabetes, caregivers, healthcare workers and community members for a morning dedicated to practical learning, open dialogue and peer support. Rather than focusing solely on medical information, the programme addressed the everyday realities of living with diabetes—bridging the gap between the clinic and the community.

Why Community Diabetes Education Matters

Diabetes is managed every single day—not only during clinic appointments.

People living with diabetes make dozens of health decisions each day relating to food, insulin, physical activity, glucose monitoring and recognising symptoms of emergencies. Without adequate education and support, these daily decisions become overwhelming and increase the risk of avoidable complications.

Community education empowers people to become active partners in their own care. It builds confidence, improves self-management, strengthens family support systems and creates safer communities where diabetes is better understood.

This workshop represented another important step towards building diabetes-literate communities across Zimbabwe.

Learning from Clinical Experts

The educational sessions were led by an outstanding multidisciplinary team comprising Consultant Paediatricians Dr. Prisca Matyanga-Mureriwa and Dr. Ismail Ticklay, Clinical Psychologist Walter Beta, Registered Dietitian Mr. Saveyi, and Nurse Educator Sr. Patience Rwizi.

Throughout the workshop, participants were guided through practical aspects of diabetes management using simple language, interactive discussions and real-life examples.

Understanding Diabetes

The opening sessions explored the fundamentals of diabetes, including the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, causes of the condition, the growing global burden of diabetes and the importance of recognising symptoms early to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Prisca Matyanga-Mureriwa

Participants were reminded that early diagnosis significantly improves health outcomes and reduces the likelihood of serious complications.

Blood Glucose Monitoring and HbA1c

One of the major themes throughout the workshop was the importance of regular blood glucose monitoring.

Participants learned:

- Expected blood glucose ranges

- The role of HbA1c in measuring long-term glucose control

- Why HbA1c testing should generally be performed every three to six months

- Why people using insulin should monitor blood glucose regularly, ideally at least four times daily where resources allow

The discussion reinforced that numbers are not simply measurements—they are information that guides safer diabetes decisions every day.

Understanding Insulin

A practical session explored the different insulin preparations available, including:

- Rapid and short-acting insulin

- Intermediate-acting insulin

- Long-acting insulin

The facilitators explained that successful diabetes management relies on three interconnected pillars:

- Appropriate insulin therapy

- Healthy nutrition

- Regular physical activity

Special emphasis was placed on the importance of basal-bolus therapy for many people living with Type 1 diabetes and why using the appropriate insulin regimen improves glucose control and long-term outcomes.

Preventing Diabetes Emergencies

Recognising emergencies before they become life-threatening was another major focus.

Participants discussed:

- Signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia

- Immediate treatment of low blood glucose

- Causes and warning signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

- Why persistent vomiting, abdominal pain and high blood glucose require urgent medical attention

The facilitators emphasised that understanding these warning signs can save lives.

Everyday Self-Care

Diabetes management extends well beyond insulin injections.

Participants learned practical approaches to:

- Daily foot care and early identification of sores or blisters

- Safe exercise practices

- Checking glucose before, during and after physical activity when appropriate

- Preventing exercise-related hypoglycaemia

- Appropriate carbohydrate intake around exercise

The workshop reinforced that prevention is always preferable to treating avoidable complications.

Correct Injection Techniques and Insulin Storage

Nurse educators demonstrated proper insulin injection techniques, including correct injection sites and the importance of rotating injection areas to reduce pain, lipohypertrophy and poor insulin absorption.

Sr. Rwizi, Nurse Educator

Practical guidance was also provided on insulin storage:

- Unopened insulin should be refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C.

- Once opened, insulin may generally be stored safely at room temperature according to manufacturer guidance.

These practical demonstrations addressed common mistakes that can significantly affect glucose control.

Making Nutrition Practical

Nutrition remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of diabetes management.

Mr. Saveya, Dietician

Rather than promoting restrictive diets, participants worked through practical meal-planning exercises using foods commonly available in Zimbabwe.

Discussions included:

• Building balanced meals
• Choosing whole grains where possible
• Reading food choices across breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks
• Limiting fried foods
• Drinking water as the preferred beverage
• Individualising nutrition according to each person's circumstances and health needs

Participants actively developed meal plans together, making the learning practical, relevant and immediately applicable.

Mental Health Is Part of Diabetes Care

Living with diabetes affects emotional wellbeing as much as physical health.

Clinical Psychologist, Walter Beta

The workshop addressed diabetes distress, burnout and the psychological challenges that many individuals experience after diagnosis.

Participants discussed:

- Recognising diabetes burnout

- Managing stress

- Seeking counselling when needed

- Building supportive relationships with family, friends and peers

Interactive exercises encouraged participants to identify healthy coping strategies while reinforcing that asking for support is a sign of strength—not weakness.

The Power of Lived Experience

One of the most inspiring aspects of the workshop came from people living with diabetes themselves.

Peer educator trainees shared honest reflections on navigating diabetes throughout school, college and university, demonstrating that diabetes should never define a person's ambitions or limit their potential.

Diabetes Advocates & Educators

Participants heard how supportive families, teachers, friends and healthcare teams helped build resilience, while diabetes education increased confidence to advocate for themselves in academic settings and everyday life.

The workshop also highlighted the realities of managing diabetes in the workplace. Through lived experience, participants explored the importance of speaking openly about diabetes, recognising hypoglycaemia, maintaining regular meals and understanding that people living with diabetes can pursue successful careers, build families and lead fulfilling lives.

These testimonies transformed clinical knowledge into hope, showing newly diagnosed individuals and caregivers that diabetes is not the end of opportunity—it is a condition that can be managed with education, support and confidence.

Building Stronger Communities

The Kadoma workshop was far more than a health education event.

It strengthened partnerships between healthcare professionals, people living with diabetes, caregivers and communities.

It demonstrated that quality diabetes care does not end at the hospital door.

By bringing clinical expertise together with lived experience, practical demonstrations and peer support, the workshop created an environment where participants could ask questions freely, learn from one another and leave feeling more confident about managing diabetes.

This approach reflects a broader commitment to strengthening diabetes care in Zimbabwe through education, empowerment and community engagement.

As similar initiatives continue across the country, every workshop contributes towards a future where people living with diabetes have the knowledge, confidence and support they need to live healthier, fuller and more independent lives.

Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere appreciation to all participants, caregivers, healthcare professionals and facilitators whose expertise, lived experience and commitment made the Kadoma Community Diabetes Workshop a success.

Ambassador Tinotenda Dzikiti

Special thanks go to the multidisciplinary team from Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Sally Mugabe Children's Hospital, whose continued dedication to diabetes education continues to transform lives both within clinics and across communities.

Disclaimer

This community diabetes education initiative was powered by Sanofi's Global Health Unit for sustainable impact. The views, experiences and educational content presented during this workshop reflect the expertise and lived experiences of the facilitators and participants and do not necessarily represent the official views or policies of Sanofi. This programme was designed to strengthen diabetes education, peer support and community capacity building and should not replace individual medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals.