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I have been engaged in diabetes care in the Kenyan setup for over 20 years. I witnessed first-hand the important role that nurses play in imparting self-management education. The lack of health educators necessitates that nurses take up this role. More than that, they also come in very handy in diabetes self-management support as they are often the most accessible and have closer contact with patients with diabetes. In centers where there are no counsellors or psychologists, nurses often double up to offer psychosocial support to patients with diabetes. Many patients will often develop a rapport with nurses and often it is the nurses who in turn communicate sensitive matters that patients need addressed by clinicians.
Atieno Jalang'o
Clinical officer, IDF Diabetes Education Regional coordinator for Africa