Ten-year-old Kelly smiles from her hospital bed in Zimbabwe after recovering from a blood sugar crisis. Her mom noticed she had lost weight, felt weak, drank lots of water at night, and went to the bathroom often. Hospital staff found she had type 1 diabetes, a disease that Kelly must manage for her entire life. She hopes to return to school soon.
Many children with illnesses like diabetes, asthma, and cancer never find out what makes them sick. Every year, almost 1 million young people worldwide die from these health problems. Poor countries have the hardest time helping sick kids because treatments cost a lot or are justn't available. Zimbabwe health officials say these diseases strain their already weak medical system.
Kelly almost died because her mother first tried traditional healers for years. Many people believe old myths about these diseases and avoid modern medicine. Hospital nurses taught Kelly and her mom how to handle diabetes at home through medicine, food choices, and lifestyle changes. UNICEF works with Zimbabwe health leaders to train medical workers and change beliefs about these diseases across the country.
Many children with illnesses like diabetes, asthma, and cancer never find out what makes them sick. Every year, almost 1 million young people worldwide die from these health problems. Poor countries have the hardest time helping sick kids because treatments cost a lot or are justn't available. Zimbabwe health officials say these diseases strain their already weak medical system.
Kelly almost died because her mother first tried traditional healers for years. Many people believe old myths about these diseases and avoid modern medicine. Hospital nurses taught Kelly and her mom how to handle diabetes at home through medicine, food choices, and lifestyle changes. UNICEF works with Zimbabwe health leaders to train medical workers and change beliefs about these diseases across the country.
