–geared at stamping out diabetes

MISS World Guyana 2017, Vena Mookram, has launched the ‘vigor sweet’ initiative as part of her beauty with a purpose campaign.
The project is expected to save the lives of many Guyanese citizens by aiding in the prevention of diabetes, said Mookram at the launch at Cara Lodge on Friday.

The beauty with a purpose programme is a registered charity and non-profit organization. It has allowed her to make a big difference in the lives of her fellow Guyanese.
“The name ‘vigor sweet’ is a powerful combination of the Guyanese slang ‘sugar’ which is used to describe diabetes, coupled with the word ‘vigor’ which is used to represent health and physical strength,” said the beauty Queen who used the unique phrase to capture the attention of Guyanese.

Persons who will participate in the project are expected to be decked out in the colour blue.
Her intent to eradicate diabetes stemmed from the fact that her family has a history of the disease.
Aside from Mookram’s family, studies show that a large number of Guyanese suffer from diabetes; hence the need for more awareness of the issue.
Based on figures from the international diabetes federation, three years ago 61,800 persons were affected by diabetes in Guyana.

The Civil Defence Commission’s (CDC) global health report states that diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death in Guyana, while the Caricom Health Commission last month stated that Guyana has the highest diabetic rate in all of the Americas, which consist of North, South and Central America.
With the high prevalence of diabetes still an issue, Miss Mookram’s main goal was to educate the public on how to prevent and treat this disease. “Education is the only way that we can reduce the rate,” she said.
During the months of August and October she will be hosting a number of activities in aid of her nationwide awareness campaign.