Families key to tackling diabetes
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud speaks at the Stabroek Market Square on Wednesday
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud speaks at the Stabroek Market Square on Wednesday

– Diabetic Association president

IN observance of World Diabetes Day, the Guyana Diabetic Association, in collaboration with the Ruimveldt Lions Club, hosted a health fair geared at raising awareness in families about the disease at Stabroek Market Square.

November 14th is celebrated annually as World Diabetes Day, in remembrance of Canadian medical scientist, Sir Frederick Banting, who, along with his student Charles H. Best, discovered insulin.

The theme for this year’s observance was “The Family and Diabetes”, and, as such, special emphasis was placed on families with the intention that they will look out for each other, as they often consume the same meals.

Several agencies and companies, including pharmaceutical giant, ANSA McAL, had booths on display offering diabetes testing, blood pressure testing, eye testing and more.
In addition, through the Chronic Disease Unit, a doctor was present to provide referrals while information was made available on how persons can support someone with diabetes.
In welcoming the gathering, Guyana Diabetic Association President Glynis Beaton said diabetes, while it may appear simple from the outside, is very challenging.

A diabetic for some 29 years, she disclosed that many diabetics often suffer from depression and other complications due to their condition.

With this in mind, she said the family should be a source of support for affected members, contending that “without the family, coping is disastrous”.

Ruimveldt Lions Club President Dexter Forte said the involvement of the entire family in the decision-making process regarding what they eat is critical to the health of the entire family unit.

“As known, the family is living in the same home and usually eats the same kind of foods. Foods high in fat, high-calorie diets increase the risk of diabetes. When one has diabetes, his or her health depends on a radical different diet. This change is much harder if the family doesn’t change too,” he said.

Coordinator of the Chronic Disease Unit, Dr. Kavita Singh, told the gathering that some 425M persons worldwide are affected by diabetes.

Members of the public at the ANSA McAL booth on Wednesday (Samuel Maughn photos)

She added that 80 per cent of those cases are due to Type 2 diabetes which comes about as a result of poor lifestyle choices and is preventable.

“The first union that we ever have as soon as we’re born is that of our family, so they basically mold us for whatever is to come in the future; so it’s very important that we make the family the centre for all our targets when it comes to awareness and education,” Dr. Singh explained.

She took the opportunity to encourage the public to make use of the testing, and if found positive, they should take steps to protect themselves and their families as soon as possible.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, who spoke on behalf of Health Minister Dr George Norton, said Guyana, like many other countries in the region, has experienced the devastating effects of diabetes over the last 20 years.

Dr Persaud took the opportunity to encourage the public to avoid excessive consumption of foods that contribute to weight gain and put them at greater risk of developing diabetes.
“It doesn’t matter your ethnicity folks, it doesn’t matter what race you are, once you’re an adult, we all should be acquiring some amount of acceptable weight control,” the CMO said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.