20 November 2025
From 1990 to 2022, the number of people living with diabetes worldwide increased fourfold — from 200 million to 830 million. The incidence of diabetes continues to rise every year among children and adolescents. In 2019, there were 39.4% more cases globally compared to 1990.
If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious complications, many of which may be life-threatening. However, by following certain rules, children and adults with diabetes can live full and active lives.
To raise awareness about diabetes and provide necessary support to patients, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus issued Order No. 47 on January 23, 2020, approving the regulations for schools that educate patients with diabetes and the training programs.
There are 216 such schools operating in Belarus. One of them, based at the Brest Regional Children’s Hospital, received support under pilot initiatives on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of the SDGs”.
“In Brest Region, about 470 children live with diabetes. Across Belarus, around 4,000 children have this diagnosis,” says Viktoria Kozel, Pediatric Endocrinologist at Brest Regional Children’s Hospital. “When parents first hear this diagnosis, they experience shock, panic, and denial. Diabetes is a lifestyle, but someone needs to teach this lifestyle. Our school helps parents and children accept the diagnosis and adapt to life with diabetes.”
With support from the UNDP under the Joint Project, funded by the Russian Federation, the diabetes school in Brest was upgraded — a medical cabinet was equipped, training materials were prepared, and essential supplies were purchased. The school also received an insulin pump, which allowed training not only for doctors but also for parents and children on insulin pump therapy — one of the most advanced treatment methods.
“Thanks to the diabetes school, we switched to an insulin pump,” shares Olga Klimuk, mother of a teenager with diabetes. “Here, we were taught from scratch how to use it and how to install it. Previously, my child needed up to eight injections daily, but now it’s just a small puncture once in three days, and insulin is delivered by the device. It makes life so much easier — no more constant injections.”
Olga’s son Ilya, a mentee at the diabetes school, was diagnosed four years ago.
“We ended up in intensive care with a blood sugar level of 28. Everything was as if in a fog. It was very hard to accept this disease,” recalls Olga. “At the diabetes school, we received tremendous psychological support. We were taught all the basics and explained that you can live a full, active life with this diagnosis without limiting yourself. Of course, you need to follow certain steps, learn, and understand the topic.”
Another important area of the school’s work is educational outreach in schools.
“With support from the SDG Project, we were able to visit educational institutions and explain the complex processes that occur with diabetes so that every teacher can help and support a child with this diagnosis,” says Viktoria Kozel.
Thanks to the Brest diabetes school, children with this diagnosis and their families do not feel abandoned or alone in their struggle. The school helps them live a high-quality, fulfilling life despite the disease.
This makes an important contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing one of the key principles of the 2030 Agenda — “leaving no one behind”.
The pilot initiative “Diabetes School” was implemented by the Brest Regional Organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society with support from the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of the SDGs”, funded by the Russian Federation.
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