By Dr Karen Cummings
( Member of Parliament and Former Health Minister)
Today is World Diabetes Day and it is being celebrated under the theme: “Access to Diabetes Care: If not now, when?” This day also coincides with the 100-year landmark since the development of therapeutic insulin to fight diabetes and improve the lives of persons.
Globally, approximately 422 million adults live with diabetes according to World Health Organization, this number is expected to rise to 578 million by 2030 and 700 million by 2045. While Diabetes Mellitus has also been attributed to 1.5 million deaths annually.
This day, November 14 is expected to bring awareness of Diabetes and that if left unmanaged, can lead to complications such as kidney failure, stroke, lower limb amputations and blindness. It is expected that this day be used to educate the public on this chronic disease, and on the various types of Diabetes such as Type 1(juvenile onset), Type II (adult onset), and gestational diabetes.
It is envisaged that more resources will be put towards the prevention and control of this disease.
The APNU/AFC Coalition encourages the populace to join support programmes that can assist to reduce the lifestyle risk factors such as overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity.
The APNU/AFC Coalition calls on this regime to ensure that
the chronic disease clinics in the 10 administrative regions including the Diabetes Clinic be undisrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic
the gap between the haves and the have -nots as it relates to insulin availability be narrower and,
there be universal access to health care
Let The occasion of World Diabetes Day be a reminder to all of us, that we need to take care of ourselves from this life-threatening disease. Let us all continue to raise awareness about Diabetes and advocate for efforts to reduce it.
Happy World Diabetes Day!
