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.

Wear Blue On Fridays In November

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

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