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24th
December 2009
Fighting
Diabetes with Facts
A
2.5% reduction in the complications of diabetes
over the next six months is the ambitious goal
of a recently held workshop for diabetics. The
workshop armed diabetics, their caregivers and
family with information both preventative and
curative to help achieve that aim.
Diabetes and hypertension are of great concern
to the Health Team of Region Two, Babonneau
and surrounding areas, who regularly deal with
patients suffering the unnecessary health issues
brought on by complications from these diseases.
The Region Two team, led by Nurse Mary Joseph
Charlery, organised the one-day session to educate
concerned residents on how to manage the disease,
prevent complications, and help improve the
quality of life of diabetics.
Assistance was provided by the Basic Needs Trust
Fund (BNTF), which has a mandate to empower
communities. The BNTF currently operates as
part of the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund
(SSDF).
The Diabetic and Hypertensive Association and
the Taj Weeks Foundation, also provided materials
for the workshop. These include diabetic shoes
and kits.
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Residents
were delighted with the tone of the workshop,
which they said clarified much of the confusing
litany of information about diabetes and hypertension.
Nutrition, foot care, medication, exercise,
and prevention of sexually transmitted infections
were among the issues addressed.
Podiatrist Deborah Charles, nutrition officer
Linda Philgence, pharmacist Richard Chung and
fitness instructor Jerome Gideon comprised the
comprehensive panel of facilitators.
Diabetes still ranks as one of the top three
leading causes of death in Saint Lucia, with
serious complications ranging from heart disease,
blindness, strokes and kidney failure to amputations
and skin problems. Saint Lucia continues to
see increases in diabetes and hypertension and
these non-communicable diseases are among the
top consumers of health care dollars.
The Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF),
which is an amalgamation of the Poverty Reduction
Fund (PRF) and the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF).
SSDF is funded by regional and international
agencies.
Discuss
Story
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