Drive to raise awareness of diabetes |20 November 2008

Adopting the United Nations’ slogan for this year – It’s Time to Make a Difference – the Ministry of Health and Social Development started by screening people for risk factors at Victoria hospital (red roof building).  

Posters and other related materials, as well as banners with healthy messages linked to diabetes prevention and control are being displayed in Victoria.

Leaflets on diabetes and flags with the UN logo will also be distributed in several places on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

A mass to commemorate the world day was held on Sunday at St Paul’s Cathedral.
A symposium for health staff will be held tomorrow and Saturday at the International Conference Centre with a foreign expert as one of the speakers.

And workshops on diabetes management will be held on Praslin on November 25 and on La Digue on November 26 for diabetic patients.

The Ministry of Health says diabetes is a chronic illness that, left untreated, can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, amputation, blindness, impotence and a host of other serious complications.

In Seychelles, a study done in 2004 showed that 12% of the adult population aged 25-64 have diabetes and 18% are pre-diabetic. As with findings in other parts of the world, half of diabetes cases can be attributed to overweight.

Finding a healthy personal lifestyle balance – through a combination of good nutrition, exercise and other healthy activities – is the key to successful diabetes prevention.

Prompt recognition of diabetes and strict adherence to treatment plans will dramatically reduce the risk of developing any of the complications, the ministry adds. This will also improve the individual’s quality of life and overall sense of wellbeing.

Activities are being organised by the ministry, along with the World Health Organisation and the Diabetes Society of Seychelles.

Novo Nordisk, the distributor of insulin here, is sponsoring some of the activities.