Free Health Clinic - St. Andrew

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.

100% Goes To Grenada Cancer Society

Written By: Central Health  - Grenada

To address the need for more education and to assist patients with their cancer treatment, Project Blue has launched a fund raiser of which 100% of the proceeds will go to the Grenada Cancer Society.  

Project Blue is a new cancer education fundraising organization that was launched in August.  The focus of this year’s initiative is colon and prostate cancer awareness. The local leader for the organization Rhema Lewis is encouraging the public to purchase t-shirt and to wear them on Friday November 10, 2017. “Blue Friday, is beyond wearing a t-shirt, it is a way to support those who may feel that they are in this battle for their lives alone,” said Lewis.

In a recent video with Now Grenada, Senior Medical Officer for the Ministry of Health Dr. Francis Martin, stated that the upward trend of cancer cases is now more than before in Grenada. “Over the last decade or so, we recognize that incidences of cancer are increasing almost yearly,” said Dr. Martin. Within the video, data shows that prostate cancer is the leading cause of death in Grenadian men.

President of the Grenada Cancer Society - Dr. Barrymore Mc Barnette says the funds will be welcomed, “Funds are always welcome, because of the high cost of cancer treatment and the great need for public education.”

The November 10, 2017 Blue Friday t-shirts are on sale for $25 and can be ordered at projectbluegrenada@gmail.com or call the Grenada Cancer Society at 473-435-9869

Too Sweet For Your Own Good III

Mathias Foundation Donates Blood Pressure Machines

ST. GEORGE'S, GRENADA, OCTOBER 2, 2015, (GIS): The Grenada Diabetes Association and the Ministry of Health continue to strengthen their relationship as both entities collaborate to promote good health and wellness among the population.

The latest collaboration was in the form of a donation of ten portable blood pressure monitors, to be used to help people monitor and control their blood pressure.

The machines which were sponsored by the Mathias Foundation in Miami, Florida would be placed at health facilities throughout the St. David's Health District.

President of the Grenada Diabetes Association Mrs. Roslyn Alexis said apart from the blood pressure monitors, the donors had also sponsored several blood sugar monitors and strips for the (GDA's) members.

Commenting on the initiative the Ministry's Chief Medical Officer Dr. George Mitchell said it’s evident; the private public partnership advocated by the Ministry has far reaching effects. 

Mitchell said having the equipment is an important aspect of chronic diseases management, but stressed that machines alone cannot do it.

"We need to see the importance of diet, exercise and spirituality to help prevent diabetes", said Mitchell who made a genuine and passionate plea for individuals to heed the call. 

Meanwhile Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Javan Williams said many positive things are happening at the hospital and in healthcare on a whole.

Williams said there has and continue to be many successful operations, meaningful donations and the dedication and commitment of workers who go beyond the call of duty under challenging circumstances to deliver quality healthcare for the people of Grenada. 

However whereas persons make little of no noise, and praises are rarely showered on the many positive life-saving things that take place in the public health sector the PS. although called on citizens to be more tolerant and supportive.

MOH RECOGNIZES CARPHA’s CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC HEALTH

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, JUNE 30, 2015 – GIS: At the conclusion of the one week sixtieth research conference here in Grenada, the Ministry of Health last Friday presented the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) with an award in achieving such a milestone.

The award was presented by Minister for Health Hon. Nickolas Steele, Permanent Secretary Javan F. Williams and Chief Medical Officer Dr. George Mitchell at the CARPHA’s awards which took place at the Spice Basket in Beaulieu St. George’s.

The acrylic Caribbean blue - Outstanding Achievement Award had the words inscribed; ”In recognition of your 60^th anniversary and for your extra-ordinary service and dedication to the Government and People of Grenada in the field of Public Health”, which was set beneath a white diamond and an array of stars.

The award was received by CARPHA’s Chief Executive Director Dr. James Hospedales.

Prior to the presentation of the award, Minister Steele had commended the organization for their ongoing work, adding that it’s a regional institution that plays an all important role in the day to day public health affairs on the region.  

Meanwhile (CMO) Mitchell also in commenting on the occasion equated CARPHA to that of other world leading health institutions because of the level and amount of work it has been putting into public health especially as it relates to prevention and health-promotion, which are two fundamentals pillars of public health.

Grenada Monitors ZIKA VIRUS (ZikaV) in the Region

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, MAY 20, 2015 – GIS: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is seriously concerned and aware of unconfirmed media reports in the region, (Jamaica) of the Zika virus, a virus carried by Mosquitoes, (ZikaV).

However whereas the Ministry has sought clarification and confirmation of such reports, through regular and appropriate channels, the Ministry is still awaiting official communiqué from its trusted and reliable public health agencies including the World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization and Caribbean Public Health Agency, about the presence of  the virus in our region.

Meanwhile the MOH will like to reiterate and remind the general public of their individual responsibility, to keep their surroundings clean and free from all potential mosquito breeding sites, inclusive of all water holding containers, old tires, bottles, tins, buckets, coconut-shells etc.

The public is also reminded of potential public health hazards and threats, which can arise as a result of indiscriminate waste disposal.

However, in light of the latest public health development and concern, the Ministry has called a meeting of its task-force in accordance with standard protocols.

Presently Grenada has no recorded or suspected cases of the virus and as such the Ministry will continue to remain vigilant by monitoring and safeguarding the public’s health interest.

The public can rest assured that the Ministry will provide regular updates when information comes to hand.

ABOUT THE ZIKA VIRUS

The Zika virus was first isolated in 1947 in Zika Forest (Uganda), in a Rhesus monkey during a study of the transmission of wild yellow fever. It was first isolated in humans in 1952 (Uganda, Tanzania).

In 2007 the first major outbreak of Zika virus fever occurred on the island of Yap (Micronesia) where 185 suspected cases were reported, of which 49 were confirmed and 59 were considered probable. The outbreak lasted 13 weeks (April to July). The probable vector was identified as being Aedes Hensilii, however the presence of the virus in the mosquito could not be determined.

At the end of October 2013, there was an outbreak in French Polynesia. Approximately 10,000 cases were registered, of which approximately 70 were severe cases. The vectors responsible for transmission were Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Polynesiensis.

In February 2014, the public health authorities of Chile confirmed that there was a case of autochthonous transmission of Zika virus infection in Easter Island (Chile).

That same year, cases were also recorded in New Caledonia and in the Cook Islands. To date, NO DEATHS have been attributed to Zika virus infection in any of the reported outbreaks.

After an infected mosquito bite, the disease symptoms usually appear following an incubation period of three to twelve (12) days.

The infection may present itself as asymptomatic or with a moderate clinical picture.

In symptomatic cases, with moderate disease, the symptoms appear acutely and include fever, non-purulent conjunctivitis, headache, myalgia and arthralgia, asthenia, maculopapular rash, edema in the lower limbs and less frequently, retro-orbital pain, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. The symptoms last for 4-7 days and are self-limiting.