Today, Monday November 14, 2016 marks World
Diabetes Day. The theme for this year
is, “Eyes on Diabetes,” A play on words that hopes everyone will ‘keep an eye
on diabetes’ – pay attention to it.
This push for everyone to keep an eye
on diabetes is necessary as the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reports
that 1 in 2 adults are undiagnosed. Individuals who are at risk, persons who have
symptoms but never got tested for diabetes make up that number. The IDF states that
this year’s activities will focus on, “promoting the importance of screening to
ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of
serious complications.”
At a church
service held on Sunday November 13, Vice President of the Grenada Diabetes
Association Dr. Antoine implored members of the Westerhall New Testament Church
to take diabetes seriously, “There are a lot of complications that arise out of
diabetes. It affects the eyes, the kidneys, the blood vessels, it affects the
heart and some persons have amputations.
And so, it is a very destructive disease and it kills a lot of people.
So we want everyone’s eyes to be focused on it. Not only today and tomorrow,
but throughout. Those who have not been focusing on it can start, especially
those who are at risk.”
Dr. Alister Antoine’s
remarks came as part of the St. David’s Branch of the Grenada Diabetes
Association’s annual church service. This year, the Westerhall New Testament
Church was selected for the commemoration of diabetes awareness month. Pastor of
the church Jude Hector allowed Members of the St. David’s Branch to give a
video presentation that outlined their efforts and distribute free diabetes
materials to the congregation at its conclusion.
In response to
the IDF’s mandate the St. David’s Branch of the Grenada Diabetes Association
has partnered with the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter of
St. George’s University (SGU) to host a Free Diabetic Clinic on Saturday
November 19, 2016. This event will be held at the Communal Co-operative Credit
Union’s parking lot, located in Perdmontemps – St. David’s from 9 am to 1
pm. At the event the SNMA of SGU
students will be conducting foot examinations, eye examinations, blood pressure
screening and glucose testing.
To date, pharmacies
such as Mitchell Health and Wellness Pharmacy, St. David’s Pharmacy and True
Blue Pharmacy have donated free lancets and testing strips for the upcoming event. Other in-kind gifts have been provided by Gabriel’s
Pharmacy with medical supplies; St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church have
committed to tables and chairs for the event and Bryden and Minors provided
free printing of the promotional materials. Many more in-kind donations are
expected.
The St. David’s
Branch of the Grenada Diabetes Association is looking forward to serving its
community at the FREE Diabetic Clinic. Any resident of St. David over the age
of 18 is permitted to attend. To know if you are at risk for diabetes, take a
free online test – clickhere.
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