There is good health news for Guyana: the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has reported that cases of diabetes have plummeted from 61,800 in 2014 to 49,800 last year — the biggest drop in recent years.Public Health Minister Dr George Norton has credited this significant achievement to vigorous countrywide education campaigns undertaken to combat the non-communicable disease.

The steep drop could also be due to migration and partially to death.

But even though he is happy with the good news, the minister warns that health professionals must not become complacent in their fight against diabetes.

“We need to continue to be vigilant in our fight against the (disease). We have problems with diabetes on the ground, and credit must be given to our hard-working staff whose tireless efforts are beginning to show positive results,” Dr Norton told the Guyana Chronicle.

Although there has been a drop in diagnosed cases, the IDF has noted that an estimated 16,800 persons with the illness are unaware that they have it. This represents an increase from the 15,400 estimated in 2014.

Dr Norton noted that, notwithstanding the robust education campaigns, diabetes is a worrying challenge facing Guyana.

“Beverages sold in shops and supermarkets are high in sugar content, which in a large way overtime contributes to the non-communicable disease,” he said.

Unlike what obtains in Barbados and some other countries, where products with high sugar content are taxed to stave off diabetes and related illnesses, the practice in not applicable in Guyana, but the Ministry of Public Health will be looking to implement a similar measure here.

“Diabetes is a lifestyle disease, and the kinds of food we buy at the supermarkets…restaurants and home — which are too height is fat and salt, coupled with lack of exercise — contribute to diabetes. What we need to do is exercise, drink water instead of aerated drinks, and reduce intake of salt and sugar to keep diabetes away.

“We believe that strong education campaigns will get the message across, and from the results we have now seen, headways are being made,” the minister contended.

The 61,800 cases diagnosed in 2014 represented an increase from the 60,100 diagnosed in 2013.

A preliminary report from the 2012 national census had indicated that Guyana is populated by some 748,000 persons. Of this number, as of 2015, some 446,000 are estimated to be adults. The persons monitored in the IDF report were between the ages of 20 and 79.

Although preventable, diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in Guyana.

ANOTHER ACHIEVEMENT

Aside from the significant drop in diagnosed cases, there was also a marked drop in deaths due to diabetes in 2015.

In 2014, the IDF had reported that some 1,025 persons died from the disease, but noted that this figure dropped to 867 last year.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, has told the Guyana Chronicle that diabetes is a silent killer, and key in addressing it is inculcating in adolescents the importance of exercise and eating healthy.

“We want to target our schools. Childhood obesity is also on the rise, persons are no longer exercising and eating healthy, they rely on fast foods, and we have to change this sort of lifestyle. It has to be attacked from all fronts in terms of education and educating parents, as well because they are the ones who give their children the money to buy a fast food or Coke,” she said.

There are two common types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. The risk factors for Type 1 Diabetes are still being researched, but a person having a family member with Type 1 Diabetes has a slightly increased risk of developing the disease.

The IDF noted that exposure to some viral infections has also been linked to the risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes has been linked to a number of factors, including family history, overweight, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and high blood pressure.

The Federation says persons with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing a number of serious health problems.

Regular high blood glucose levels, it said, can lead to serious diseases, affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves and teeth. People with diabetes also have a higher risk of developing infections, and it can cause cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputation, and stroke.

RECOVERING FROM STROKE
Rookmin Rood, 59, a resident of Walton Hall, Essequibo Coast who has been a Type Two Diabetic patient for the past six years, related to this publication that she is recovering from a stroke.

This publication met Rood in bright spirits at the Charity Public Hospital on a recent visit. The elderly woman had gone there to do a regular checkup.

“I suffered a stroke in 2010; and thanks to God, me survived. The stroke affected me right side, and since them me been receiving treatment. Now me can move around; me do simple chores around the house and fix me own bed. Me son and daughter-in-law really help me. Nowadays me stay away from sweet drink, and drink wata and eat whole wheat flour, brown rice, and drink no-fat milk and take me medication. Me feel far better,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

Randy, a young teacher who is also a Type Two Diabetic patient, told this newspaper that he has turned to exercise and healthy eating to keep his sugar level down.

According to the IFD, some 415 million people worldwide have diabetes; and by 2035, this figure is expected to be at 592 million.
The IFD also noted that the number of people with Type 2 Diabetes is increasing in almost every country. Some 77 per cent of people with diabetes live in low-and middle-income countries, and the greatest number of people with diabetes are between 40 and 59 years old.

Diabetes caused 4.9 million deaths in 2014; and every seven seconds a person dies from diabetes.