International diabetes expert appointed trustee for Action4diabetes
Professor May Ng OBE has been announced as a trustee for Action4diabetes – a charity dedicated to supporting young people living with type 1 diabetes in South East Asia.
Action4diabetes is the only charity providing guaranteed life-saving insulin, diabetes equipment and education to children and young adults from zero to 25 years old in South East Asia (SEA) since 2015.
Professor Ng is already the voluntary Chief Medical Advisor for Action4Diabetes and she is responsible for providing advice, training and educational support for healthcare professionals in SEA.
She leads on clinical, research and educational projects with other healthcare professionals in SEA, and has led on publication of the first reported type 1 diabetes five year outcomes in Laos and in six other countries in SEA.
The theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day was ‘Access to Diabetes Care’. Since 2016, Action4Diabetes has been pivotal in access to diabetes care by strategically raising awareness through campaigns, partnerships, and advocacy efforts in SEA.
With a distinguished background Prof May Ng OBE brings a wealth of expertise to the charity and a deep commitment to improving the lives of children and young adults with type 1 diabetes in Asia.
As a Trustee, she will play a pivotal role in guiding the strategic direction of the charity, focusing on initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by children affected by diabetes in the Asian region.
The appointment comes at a critical time, as diabetes continues to pose a growing threat to the health and well-being of communities in SEA.
Professor NG said: “I am honoured and privileged to join Action4Diabetes as trustee in its mission to make a tangible impact on the lives of children and young people grappling with type 1 diabetes in SEA.
“Together, we will work tirelessly to close the diabetes gap, ensuring that every child has access to the necessary resources and support for a healthier, brighter future.”
She added: “Affordable insulin remains a challenge for many people who need it and health systems in SEA countries lack universality with limited healthcare coverage for diabetes such as access to insulin and blood glucose monitoring kits.”
Professor Ng is a multi-award winning paediatrician and has led on many national and international initiatives in the UK and internationally.
She has published more than 200 research papers and authored three books – ‘A guide to type 1 diabetes management, technology and everything else you need to know; ‘A Journey With Brendan’ and ‘Me and My Hormones’.
She is Chair of the UK Diabetes Research Steering Group for Children and Young People, Officer for Research for the Royal College of Paediatrics, Chair of the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) E-learning and sits on the International Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Advisory Council.