Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, on Thursday said diabetes and other non-communicable diseases are high on the government’s radar. Minister Darville made these remarks during a courtesy call by members of the World Diabetes Committee at Grand Bahama Health Services at the Ministry for Grand Bahama.
He noted that “one of the things the government is very keen about as we move for the implementation of National Health Insurance is to ensure that our communities are fully aware of the incidence as well as the effects of non-communicable diseases. Our preventative approach must be paramount going forward to ensure that these diseases are caught in the early stages so that we can prevent admissions to our tertiary facilities.”
It is important to educate residents on all forms of non-communicable diseases, but specifically for diabetes. He said all present knew someone affected by diabetes. This is sometimes as a result of genetic predisposition, but is also as a result of lifestyle choices.
Having been a practicing physician on the island, the Minister said a better job could be done educating people and seeing that those who have Type 2 Diabetes receive the necessary care and that “as we move for 2016 for Universal Healthcare, the government of The Bahamas will continually develop and improve upon our medical infrastructure on the island of Grand Bahama to ensure that our patients have access to proper health care but better quality service going forward.”
Health care is one of the major factors that affects a country’s GDP, said the Minister. He said, “The health of the nation is the wealth of the nation.” This administration, he said, attention will be given to prevention of non- communicable diseases.
Minister Darville commended the nurses on their daily efforts, despite the challenges they face. “It (nursing) is not just a job, but a commitment to providing a service that the community needs.”
He said he is also pleased with the work being done with young people and educating them on non-communicable diseases because it is important they know that with Type 2 Diabetes in particular, it requires lifestyle modification, a healthy diet and exercise and awareness of the signs and symptoms of either Type 1 or 2 Diabetes.
According to Nicole Bain, chairperson of the Committee, the month of November is Diabetes Month and the committee has planned a number of activities that have already started with a church service. Other activities include the opening ceremony, being held at the Rand Memorial Hospital on Friday at 5pm when winners of a local art competition for high school students for the month will be announced.
There will also be an Anything-A-Thon on Saturday morning, and the committee is encouraging residents to get moving in an effort to fight this disease. Other activities include a silent auction and wine tasting along with a two-day conference, on November 21-22, when the keynote speaker will come from the Diabetes Research Institute in Miami. It is hoped that health care workers and participants from the community will receive the latest information on Diabetes and how to treat patients on the island.
Secretary of the committee, Elsie Hepburn said the committee involved the youth of the nation through the local competition, as it is important that they know what they can do to modify their lifestyles now, and not have to deal with the affects of diabetes later in life. (BGIS)
