Ethiopia gets N.Z. insulin

Press, 4 October 1982, Page 2

Ethiopia gets N.Z. insulin

Two cartons of insulin have arrived in a hospital in Ethiopa. where it is scarce, from New Zealand, where it was collected by Professor D W. Beaven. physician in charge of diabetes services for the North Canterbury Hospital Board.

Professor Beaven received a letter from Dr Frances Lester, at Ethiopia's State Yekatit 12 Hospital, saying that the 952 vials of insulin arrived safely. • “We have distributed 220 vials in the last eight weeks to our insulin-dependent diabetics." Dr Lester said.

“Many of these patients have been otherwise completely unable to obtain insulin since late June, through an unusually severe shortage of the drug in the last few months." he said. ,

The Yekatit clinic is only one of three diabetic clinics in the country, which has a population. of about 29 million. Dr Lester said that less than 5 per cent of the population was likely to use the country's health services, and less than 20 per cent of the population actually had access to such services. Dr Lester said in his letter that diabetes was common among Ethiopians, and would become more so as life expectancy increased. Life expectancy is now between 40 and 45 years, he said.

Professor Beaven collected the New Zealand insulin after a request from |he secretary-general of the International Diabetes Federation. The insulin would be sufficient to keep between 75 and 100 diabetics in good health for up to 12 months.

The insulin is a lowstrength type which is no ..onger used in New Zealand. It was collected from chemists and sent to Ethiopia by British Airways.