The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Guyana Diabetics Association and Life for a Child, yesterday provided basic diabetes testing kits, inclusive of a year-long supply of strips, to 52 children, diagnosed with diabetes, as these serve to ensure that they a have full and healthy life.
The event was held at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown, and saw these children, ranging from babies all the way to the teens, and who are living with the disease, along with their parents, being educated on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

During a presentation by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, it was noted that out of a population of 747,884 people, the average group of 27 years and over is diagnosed with diabetes in Guyana.
It was also acknowledged that persons 65 years and older account for 5.2% of the diagnosis, while persons between 15-64 years account for 68.6% of it. Also 26.2% of the diagnosis is within the age range of 0-14 years.
According to Dr. Persaud, unhealthy lifestyles is one of the main contributors to this situation, as with the modernisation of society came the adaptation of unhealthy practices and the substitution of regular active pastimes like bike riding, to playing with technological devices.
More people are now using processed foods, which contain more sugar and salt and when one takes into consideration that not only diabetes, but all other NCDs are very harmful to the body.  Also with technology came easier communication, so individuals spend hours on their cellular phones, tablets and games etc. instead of taking a walk in the park.
Dr. Persaud also pointed out that 9% of 15,000 babies weighed in 2014 were overweight.  This would be over 1,300 babies.

The CMO added that in order to turn this situation around, it is important for persons to adopt smart and healthier practices (GINA)