Dominica Diabetes Association observes World Diabetes Day

diabetesThe Dominica Diabetes Association (DOMDA) is joining the Ministry of Health and the  International  Community this Thursday, November 14, 2013, in observance of World Diabetes Day. November 14is significant, as it marks the birthday of Frederick Banting, whose work (along with his colleague Charles Best) led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.

This year DOMDA has chosen the theme “Protect our Future…..Take a Step for Diabetes”. This focuses on children and adolescents with emphasis on education and prevention,  urging them  to understand diabetes and take control of the disease. Also highlighting   the importance of “staying active” as a key measure to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health challenge and the leading cause of death in Dominica. For the past two years there have been a reduction in the number of amputations due to diabetes . This is as a result of “Foot Care” training programmes for health care professionals and diabetics, undertaken by the Association, the Ministry of Health and the Rotary Club of Dominica.

Diabetes and its complications are largely preventable and there are proven, affordable interventions available. However, everyone has a role to play in helping to reverse the increasing trends associated with diabetes to help protect our future.

DOMDA will  observe World Diabetes Day, Thursday November 14, 2013, with activities geared at raising awareness and drawing attention to diabetes and its effects on the lives of people. These activities involve radio discussions and the signature event “Diabetes Mélé….Youth in Action” featuring solidarity messages ,personal testimonies and showcasing the talent of our youth in music, song, dance and hula-hoop demonstrations.

This event will  be held at the Windsor Park Stadium from 5:00pm to 9:00 pm. The Diabetes Mele’ is being done in collaboration with the Health Promotion of the Ministry of Health, the National Youth Council, the Peer Health Initiative (students of the All Saints University) Triple Kay Global and the management of the National Stadium.

The World Diabetes Day 2013 campaign is encouraging everyone to Take a Step for Diabetes. DOMDA invites all organizations within the NGO, public or private sectors to join in the campaign.  A step is considered to be any activity that helps promote diabetes awareness, improve the lives of people living with diabetes, promote healthy lifestyles or reduces one’s individual risk of developing diabetes.

Some examples of activities that can be undertaken are:
1.    Organize a diabetes walk
2.    Organize a diabetes awareness meeting or conference
3.    Light a monument or building in blue
4.    Wear blue for diabetes
5.    Include the blue circle badge in your social media profile
6.    Include a diabetes or World Diabetes Day related post in your social media page

Let us all take action to keep diabetes in the spotlight.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

6 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    November 15, 2013

    didn’t David ‘TAZZY” GEORGE offer to work long side which the association…. what ever happen to that??? he was all talks like some politicians

  2. gill
    November 14, 2013

    Drink moringa its good for diabetes

  3. Concerned
    November 14, 2013

    Honestly I think there are too many fat young women in Dominica.. People need to take control of their health and understand it the implications …..diabetes…high medical bills…. death…It is an epidemic now…we even see fat nurses now…What is Happening?

  4. futuristic
    November 14, 2013

    i commend you on steps already taken but much more needs to be done. not being negative but just highlighting the shortcomings. i think that healthy living should be taught in school, we need to save a new generation. this present generation is hard to stop certain habits. we need to feed minds which have a clean slate and we should have started yesterday. people u will keep on hearing that u are what u eat and what we are eating these days and in time to come will only make us more sick we must plant what we eat and eat what we plant. the generations are getting lazier even soup and dumplings are canned? what? yup. its at save alot. we need regulation on the food that we import. we need to get serious. the number one place we have to start is to help pple manage their stress cuz thats the number one cuz of ALL disease. second we need to ban ALL sodas, cut down on the use of ALL refined foods, stop importation of all white products, as long as the people have a choice they wont worry u can inform them all u want they will still buy them so stop importing them and we will begin to c a change.

  5. Anonymous
    November 14, 2013

    If it were a beff the comments would be pouring forth. There are so many persons suffering with diabetes in Dominica. People need to become more responsible about their health. Parents need to stop stuffing their children with these excessive amounts of sweets and sugary biscuits! Make the start there.

  6. Anonymous
    November 14, 2013

    too much talking put words into action

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available