Delivered by Minister of State with Responsibility for Health, Social Services, Gender Affairs & Community Development Hon Wendy Colleen Phipps Sunday, November 8, 2015
Fellow Citizens & Residents of St. Kitts and Nevis:
The period November 8-15, 2015 has been designated by the Diabetes Association of St. Kitts & Nevis as Diabetes Awareness Week, in an effort to educate the public on diabetes as a chronic disease, and to emphasize the need for every citizen and resident of this Federation to practice a healthy diet and lifestyle. As such, the Association has chosen as its theme this year: “Diabetes and Living Healthy”.
The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to congratulate the Diabetes Association for the critical partnership role it continues to play in health promotion insofar as the issue of diabetes awareness is concerned. During the week of activities, the Federal Government of St. Kitts and Nevis also joins the rest of the international community in observing World Diabetes Day on Saturday, November 14, 2015. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006, following the passage of United Nations Resolution #61/ 225. As such, World Diabetes Day is now the world’s largest campaign for diabetes awareness that reaches a global audience of well over one (1) billion people in more than 160 United Nations member countries.
It should be noted that the two core objectives of the World Diabetes Day campaign are as follows:
? To function as a platform that promotes the advocacy efforts of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF); and
? To be the global driver that promotes the importance of using a coordinated and focused approach to confront diabetes as a critical world health issue.
The Diabetes Association has planned a number of activities in observance of Diabetes Awareness Week and World Diabetes Day 2015. These activities include: ? Worship at St. George’s Anglican Church on Sunday, November 8th; ? Diabetes screenings at Independence Square on Friday, November 13th; ? Rap Sessions in the Schools; ? Panel Discussion on ZIZ; and ? Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association on Sunday, November 15th The general public is encouraged to fully participate in these activities wherever practical. The information and medical advice that will be shared on diabetes could very well change or save someone’s life.
When one stops to contemplate the impact that diabetes can have upon the life of an individual one cannot help but acknowledge the major adjustments that would have to be undertaken – in most cases, for life! Diabetes can be a debilitating disease and, as such, it should never be taken for granted. Both in our local and Caribbean contexts, diabetes constitutes one of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that have now become the leading cause of mortality and morbidity among our people. Other NCDs include cancer and heart disease.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has assessed that in the year 2014 almost 400 million adults were living with diabetes. The IDF also estimates that in 2014 there were a total of almost 5 million deaths worldwide due to diabetes. Moreover, it is has been confirmed that diabetes accounted for well over US$600 billion in healthcare costs during 2014. These statistics are staggering and glaring, and constitute resounding proof that diabetes has now become a major epidemic that must be addressed by all: there must be a consolidated response by government, the private sector, the medical community, civil society, donor agencies, the World Health Organisation (WHO), insurance companies, health maintenance organisations, and individuals living with the disease. The need for a united approach to diabetes is even more of an imperative, especially when one considers that by the year 2035 – merely 20 years from now – almost 600 million of us could be living with Type 2 diabetes. Left undiagnosed for too long, many individuals with Type 2 diabetes would certainly suffer from some of the complications associated with the disease by the time their condition is confirmed.
In a pro-active effort to reduce these global health projections on diabetes, both the World Health Organisation and the IDF are heavily campaigning for the adoption of health lifestyles and healthy eating in order to prevent and manage all types of diabetes. It is projected that a healthy lifestyle could prevent up to 70% of Type 2 diabetes, with healthy eating helping to reduce the risks. The IDF advocates for the adoption of a healthy diet that is inclusive of leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, lean meat, whole grains, unsweetened yoghurt and nuts – in order to reduce both (a) the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and (b) the complications associated with diabetes. The message is also being echoed strongly that healthy eating should begin in childhood, in order to dramatically stem the tide of the diabetes epidemic.
As our Federation continues to observe Diabetes Awareness Week and World Diabetes Day 2015, the Ministries of Health on St. Kitts and Nevis also use the opportunity to acknowledge the exemplary service that continues to be rendered by the membership of the St. Kitts Diabetes Association.
Particular recognition should be given to the organisation’s current executive, which is comprised of the following individuals (several of whom have provided yeoman service for many years):
• PRESIDENT: Nurse Christine Wattley
• VICE PRESIDENT: Nurse Eulynis Browne
• SECRETARY: Mrs Janelle Lewis-Tafari
• TREASURER: Ms Merle Liburd
• PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER: Dr Reginald O’Loughlin
• and NOMINATED MEMBERS: Mrs Jasmine Hanley-Taquechel, Reverend Wilfred Daniel, and Mrs Rosalyn Grant
Conclusion
In closing, I wish to re-emphasize the fact that diabetes is a life-altering disease that should not be taken lightly. With a proper regimen of a healthy diet, exercise, medication, a positive outlook, and particular attention to matters such as foot care, diabetes can be well-managed and the quality and duration of life can be maximized for the persons living with the disease. Let us join the Diabetes Association of St. Kitts and Nevis and the rest of the international community in observance of both Diabetes Awareness Week and World Diabetes Day 2015.
May God bless us all as we endeavour to promote healthy and positive lifestyles for the benefit of our present and future generations, and the sustainable socio-economic competitiveness of our Federation.
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