World Diabetes Day, is globally celebrated on the November 14 every year, and according to its official publications has grown from humble beginnings to become a globally-celebrated event to increase awareness about diabetes.
Montserrat has taken its place in observing the day and during the past week has observed and celebrated the day and its tenth (10th) Anniversary of work in Diabetes.
The theme for World Diabetes Day since 2009 has been diabetes education and prevention and as of 2014 to run till 2016, healthy living and diabetes; and this year, there’s a focus on starting each day right by having a healthy breakfast.
The Diabetes week of activities in Montserrat was been officially launched on World Diabetes Day Saturday Nov.14 with the islands Minister of Health Delmaude Ryan providing an update on measures that are being undertaken to help with the Prevention and Control of non-communicable diseases on Montserrat.
In a broadcast on radio, she said, “There are a number of other areas which we have already started to do in terms of checking on the NCD treatment protocol ensuring that persons who are registered and we are encouraging others are being tested…so that they can have 100% checks so those are targets that we have agreed even in the log frame with DFID but also helping us to achieve the CARICOM Targets as it relates to the control of NCD’s in our country.”
For the past week the Montserrat Diabetes Association (MDA) as it celebrated its tenth anniversary, held different events, having published and released a tenth Anniversary newsletter/magazine.
Beginning with a church service at the New Ebenezer SDA Church on Sunday 15, the continued with: Visits to sick members; Walk for Diabetes at Little Bay; held Symposium at the Arts and Education Centre (A&E Centre), Brades. Throughout the week there were radio quizzes and addresses, and on Saturday 21 at 6.30 a.m. held a Fund raising Breakfast at A&F Service Centre. During the week also along with Blood sugar screening screenings, they featured the Annual General Meeting and an award ceremony. During all this time, educating the public about the warning signs and risks associated with the disease.
The information as they celebrate he theme of World Diabetes Day, from 2014 to 2016 is healthy living and diabetes and this year, there’s a focus on starting each day right by having a healthy breakfast. November 14 is a significant date in the diabetes calendar because it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin, Frederick Banting.
