Free Event: 5th Annual Too Sweet For Your Own Good - Mini Symposium

Official Statement: Grenada Diabetes Association (Diabetes Month)

GRENADA DIABETES ASSOCIATION

NOVEMBER 2017

DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

STATEMENT

November is recognized as Diabetes Awareness Month.  For 2017, the Grenada Diabetes Association (GDA) with its Branches have planned several activities throughout the Tri island state.  For Grenada, the goal is to raise awareness of this disease and provide support to those impacted by it.

Activities organized by GDA for the month of November include: church services; health screenings; nutrition and diabetes management educational talks; distribution of educational materials (with the assistance of the Ministry of Education) throughout the school systems, appropriate for teachers to have a better understanding of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes; social media campaign strategies; and encouraging the public to wear blue every Friday during the month to help raise awareness.

The IDF produces a theme for each year’s celebration. The theme for 2017 is, Women and Diabetes – Our Right To A Healthy Future.  Three key messages about diabetes as it relates to women are highlighted in this year’s campaign:

All women with diabetes require affordable and equitable access to care and education, to better manage their diabetes and improve health outcomes.

Pregnant women require improved access to screening, care and education to achieve positive health outcomes for mother and child.

Women and girls are key agents in the adoption of healthy lifestyles to improve the health and wellbeing of future generations.

According to IDF:

·        There are currently over 199 million women living with diabetes. This total is projected to increase to 313 million by 2040.

·        Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths per year.

In Grenada 10 percent of the adult population are living with diabetes some of which have complications including: kidney disease, eyes complications, strokes, heart disease, nerve damage, foot problems including amputations, impotence, skin conditions, depression and pregnancy related conditions.

Up to 70% of cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented through the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. By focusing on women and empowering them to adopt healthy lifestyles it is hoped that their influence in the home and community would have a positive impact on the lives of their children, husbands and significant others. So, even while empowering our women our concerns are still very much with our men and children. 

One important goal of GDA’s Executive is to increase activism within its respective Branches.  Each parish has a team of persons who organize monthly meetings and outreach efforts.  If you would like to become active within the GDA’s Branch in your parish, or learn more about GDA’s efforts call 440-0888 or LIKE GDA’s Facebook page.

Grenada Diabetes Association: Election Results

Grenada Diabetes Association: Election Results 

(St. George’s, GRENADA, August 8, 2017) –  The Grenada Diabetes Association held elections on Wednesday July 5, 2017.  The new members of the Executive are: Dr. Alister Antoine (MD) - President; Ms. Roslyn A, Douglas, MA – Vice President; Mrs. Antonia Sandy Antoine - Secretary; Dr. Roger Radix (MD) - Treasurer; and Mr. Alexis Simon – Public Relations Officer. 

Strengthening the Association and building on the foundation laid is the priority for this Executive.  Since elections the Executives have been meeting to draft a strategic plan, and review the 35-year-old Association’s Constitution and By Laws.  It is their goal to provide more support to GDA’s branches, namely: St. George, St. David, St. Andrew, St. Patrick, St. John/St. Mark and Carriacou & Petite Matinique; stabilize its central office; consider SMART initiatives that will assist with the dissemination of relevant and accurate information regarding diabetes; and establish additional relationships with local and international partners, governmental and non-governmental.

The new executive of the Association recognizes the years of selfless service and dedication of past and present members, including Former President Nurse Rosalind Alexis. Nurse Alexis has provided exemplary service in health care especially in Chronic Disease Management, throughout her entire nursing profession. Alexis has also been: a mentor to youths; an advocate to the elderly and under privileged; and offered humanitarian services to a broad section of the community, in a caring and nurtured manner.  As it relates to GDA Nurse Alexis has orchestrated several educational sessions, health services and campaigns promoting the prevention and control of diabetes in Grenada. Although she has stepped down from leadership, she remains committed to GDA. 

Diabetes can be largely a self-management disease. Patients are responsible for their own care in between doctor visits.  That responsibility over time can not only be challenging but also discouraging, especially if there is no family or emotional support.  In 2011, the Ministry of Health conducted a step survey which showed that 10% of the adult population (25-64) were living with diabetes. That percentage could be even larger now. The Ministry of Health recently reported that patients with uncontrolled diabetes coupled with hypertension or another non-communicable disease often stay in the hospital on average six days costing the government approximately $4,000 per patient to treat. It is the intention of GDA’s new Executive to provide gap services for patients in between doctor visits in areas of prevention and control of diabetes, to compliment the efforts of local health services.

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The Grenada Diabetes Association (GDA) is a Non-Governmental Organization which seeks to further the acquisition and dissemination of relevant and accurate information regarding diabetes mellitus. GDA facilitates these aims and objectives by undertaking activities that will improve the physical and socio-economic welfare of persons affected by this disorder. For more information contact 473-440-0888 or email diabetesresourcecenter@gmail.com

Diabetes Is Everybody’s Business: Pay Attention St. David’s

 By: Roslyn A. Douglas, MA., ACB - Founder, Central Health - Grenada

The Perdmontemps Diabetic Group of the St. David’s Branch of the Grenada Diabetes Association, has planned its third health educational event entitled, “Too Sweet For Your Own Good.” 

The theme chosen for this year’s mini symposium is: Diabetes Is Everybody’s Business.  After having discussions with other diabetics, the Executive team decided for this year’s program they wanted to arm family members of diabetics with information on how to care for their loved ones.  At the end of the session, they want family members of diabetics to be more cognizant of the emotional and financial stress that tends to accompany managing this disease. 

An article by AgingCare.com entitled, 10 Secrets That Aging Parents Keep, stated, “Your aging parent may be keeping secrets from you.” It goes on to say, “Sometimes, when elderly parents keep secrets, its because they feel their independence slipping away. They might be embarrassed to ask for help. They might fear their family's reaction. They might be afraid that family members will "put them away."  

Besides not telling immediate family members that they have not been feeling well for some time, one of the biggest secrets persons with chronic non-communicable diseases keep from their family is money shortage.  The article added, "If the parent's money supply starts to fail, he/she may cut back on buying food and medications...Clearly, this can be very dangerous.”  

At the group’s 2016 November free diabetic clinic, where testing was facilitated by the Student National Medical Association - SGU, results from the intake form showed that diabetics had many struggles.  The patients were allowed to select more than one of the following reasons to answer the question What Makes It Difficult For You To Manage Your Diabetes? The results for respondents who had high glucose reading of 130-300 were as follows:  53.33% I have no difficulty managing my diabetes, 13.33% cost of testing strips, 20% cost of lancets, and 13.33% cost of medication, and 6.67% lack of family support. Four comments captured by the in-taker from the patients were as follows:

ð       “Sometimes forgets to take medication.”

ð       “Not mobile (unable to exercise).”

ð       “Forgets morning meds when she doesn’t eat breakfast.”

ð       “Knows what to eat but can’t get it.”

The fact that a diabetic has a fasting reading of over 130-300, yet still answers the question, “I have no difficulty managing my diabetes,” is an indication that some additional assistance and education is required. The cost of 50 strips can run as high as $175.  With each month having an average of 30 days, a patient will require $300 on strips alone. AIC blood test, which should be taken every three months costs approximately $70, while each doctor visit approximately $120.  Kidney function tests can also cost approximately $120 and healthy grocery bill may run $600 or more.  When you add the cost of medications such as Diamicron and Metformin ($140); as well as needles ($140) and the pen ($80) for those who take insulin, the monthly cost for a diabetic’s basic care is close to $1500. This does not even include the other living expenses such as water, gas and electricity.  Whereas some of these medications are given at a discount rate or free at the health clinics and the general hospital, sometimes supplies run out and the diabetic has to purchase these medications at the regular full price, or decide to do without.

All the aforementioned issues and more will be discussed at the upcoming Too Sweet For Your Own Good III: Diabetes Is Everybody’s business.  The mini symposium will take place at, The Canal in Bacolet, St. David’s.  The speakers and topics will be:  Why Are My Glucose Numbers High? -  Dr. Aslem Okeke; Managing Your Medications -  Clement Gabriel; Diabetes & Depression -  Lindonne Glasgow; and A Diabetic’s Testimony - Gemma Stewart.  This free event is open to residents of St. David’s and will take place on Thursday July 27, 2017 at 5:30 pm.

This programme was organized by President – Bernadine St. Bernard; Secretary- Gemma Stewart; Public Relations Officer – Catherine George; Treasurer – Catherine Hector with the assistance of Central Health-Grenada’s Founder, Roslyn A. Douglas, MA., ACB.  In kind support has been received from Spice Isle Imaging Centre, Bryden & Minors and Hon. Oliver Joseph via sponsorship of buses, the printing of promotional materials and water for the attendees, respectively.