Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 08, 2016 News
Health sectors around the world have been struggling to combat the scourge of diabetes which could
result in death for some inflicted persons. It was perhaps with this in mind and a keen focus on sensitising people of ways to prevent the disease or to safeguard their health if infected, that World Health Day 2016 was celebrated under the theme ‘Beat Diabetes’.
April 7 annually is recognised as World Health Day.
In Region Three, observing the day took on the form of a mini health fair and talk. The event, which targeted students of some schools within Region Three, was held in the compound of the Region Three Regional Office. It was spearheaded by the Region Three Health and Wellness Club.
Speaking at yesterday’s occasion, Regional Health Officer, attached to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, Dr. Shawn Bancroft, told his young audience that the objective of the day was to emphasise the importance of winning the battle against diabetes. He explained that diabetes is a chronic disease which in essence means that once people are diagnosed with it, they have to live with it for the rest of their lives. And according to him, an important way of helping to combat the disease is to adhere to education.
He disclosed that 90 per cent of the diabetic population of the world suffer from Type Two diabetes, which is in fact very preventable. Persons who suffer from obesity or do not exercise are more prone to this type of diabetes, Dr. Bancroft cautioned.
But according to him, since the 1980s the number of diabetes cases has increased fourfold and has become more prevalent among the young population.
Nutritionist, Ms. Norma Howard, a member of the Health and Wellness Club, was tasked with enlightening those in attendance about measures to prevent and manage diabetes. But in so doing, she pointed out that while November 14 annually has been designated World Diabetes Day, the World Health Organisation decided to also tackle the issue of diabetes on World Health Day, because it is recognised as a major public health problem.
“When we speak about it being a major public health problem, it means that quite a large percentage of persons, not only in Guyana but around the world, have diabetes and the one form of diabetes that is causing it to be a major public health problem is that type of diabetes known as Type Two Diabetes,” said Howard.
This is caused when an individual’s body is not able to make use of the foods with sugar it consumes. These sugars are gained from foods such as carbohydrates, starchy and sweet foods. Howard revealed that while Type Two Diabetes was formerly found in aged persons, it is now being found in persons even as young as 12, thus the need to educate the younger generation about the disease.
In addition to Type Two Diabetes, there is Type One Diabetes which is caused when there is a complete lack of sugars to produce insulin in the body. As such, these persons must have insulin injected into their system in order to survive. A third type of diabetes that is detected during pregnancy, and usually dissipates after, is known as Gestational Diabetes, Howard informed yesterday.
TUBERCULOSIS
Also presenting a brief talk on Tuberculosis (TB) to the students yesterday was, Mrs. Malini Budhnarine. She informed that not only is TB one of the most common infections worldwide, but it is still a problem despite efforts to combat it. Its continued prevalence, she noted, is linked to the risk factors such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, malnutrition, crowded environments and people living with diabetes. People living with diabetes, she explained, are susceptible to TB infection due to their immune-compromised status.
“It is therefore advised that persons with diabetes are educated and screened…” Budhnarine asserted. This is due to the fact, she added, that “reducing the spread of TB is everybody’s business. Together we should take up the challenge to stop the spread of TB and Beat diabetes.”
IMPORTANCE OF FOOT CARE
Foot Care, Nurse Tracy Emanuel, spoke extensively of the importance of foot care, especially for those diagnosed with diabetes. Aside from wearing comfortable shoes, she related that foot care includes examining the foot for blisters, corns, bruises, discoloration, swelling and even numbness every day.
The opening of yesterday’s mini-fair was graced by Regional Executive Officer of Region Three, Mr. Denis Jaikaran. During brief remarks, he pledged his support to the Health and Wellness Club and added that “I would want to engage the members really and truly so that we can strategise and develop programmes to help people of this Region (Three), so that as we spread the gospel of health and wellness, we are going to be fulfilling the mandate we are given”.
The mission of the Health and Wellness Club is to ensure that people in Region Three receive correct and adequate information on prevention and management of health conditions.
At yesterday’s mini-fair, persons were also given the opportunity to have basic health tests done including Body Mass Index and blood pressure. Students in attendance were also privileged to win tokens after answering some health questions.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
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