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
