01st April 2016
Chairperson of the Wellness Committee within the Ministry of Health and the Environment Valarie Williams is appealing to members of the public to use information available from the upcoming Diabetes Fiesta to assist them in taking better care of their health.
The event organized by the Ministry of Health and the Environment is slated to take place at King George V Grounds on April 7th, World Health Day which will be held under the theme, "Halt the Rise, Beat Diabetes."
Although the regular health screening exercises will be conducted, the main highlight of the activity will be the 'Care of the Diabetic Foot."
Williams lauded the organizations, social partners and the business community who have lend their support to this important activity.
She said the focus of Diabetes during this year's World Health Day celebrations is very timely.
"The focus this year will be on diabetes because globally there is a rapid increase in the number of persons who are developing the disease and the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations and the Pan American Health Organization have placed the emphasis this year on diabetes and so we in Antigua will be celebrating the occasion with a grand Diabetes Fiesta at King George V Grounds on April 7th," Williams said.
She added that the effects of the disease on the limbs, especially the legs will be in sharp focus.
"Although it will be all about diabetes in general, we are going to pay particular attention and focus a lot on diabetic foot care because we are having dozens of cases where people develop diabetic foot ulcers, leg amputations, amputations of the toes etc. and so our focus really will be on the foot and preventing those things from happening", she added.
Nurse Williams outlined a number of initiatives and steps that persons can take to help fight diabetes.
"Early screening is very important, early screening saves lives and so we are urging people to come out and be screened so that they can know their status because people who smoke, consume great portions of alcohol, or eat unhealthy diets and even individuals who are not physically active, have a great risk factor of developing diabetes and even obesity so it is important to know one's status" Nurse Williams stated.
Reports indicate that WHO forecasts a twenty percent (20%) increase in diabetes universally by the year 2030.
However Nurse Williams assured that continuous awareness and educational campaigns will remain at the forefront so that the population can be better able to monitor and control their situation and make wise and healthier choices.
For More Information Contact:
Debbie Francis
Tel: (268) 464-8026
