Timothy wants drastic decrease in diabetes related amputations

Health minister Julius Timothy would like to see the reduction in the number of diabetes related amputations decrease by 95 percent within the next two years.

“Within two more years, I would like the incidence of diabetic amputations in Dominica to be reduced by 95 percent. Within this year I have been given the assurance that we can reduce it by 50 percent and within the next year we can achieve our target. I am telling you health care providers you have a challenge on your hands,” the minister remarked.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-day advanced training programme on the care of the diabetic foot. The workshop ended on Tuesday.

Diabetic amputations are life-threatening and may involve life-long dependence upon the help of others, as well as an inability to work.  According to health officials, amputations and foot problems in general are among the most costly complications of diabetes.

In developing countries like Dominica, it has been estimated that diabetic foot problems may consume as much as 40 percent of available healthcare resources for diabetes, hence the reason why Government has taken proactive measures aimed at early intervention and prevention.

This action, the Government believes will ultimately lead to improved quality of life with people living with diabetes.

The programme was based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Step by Step model consisted of lectures, practical sessions, treatment of people with diabetes, and teaching of educational techniques.

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19 Comments

  1. conscious
    September 14, 2012

    I am in America i am aching inside for my country men and women who will never be able to aford the monitor to check their blood sugar. The strips are the most expesive. I say this with no regret Dominica should have a special clinic for diabetes patients. Insted the Prime Minister give free money to people he should be distributing the monitors an strips to diabetes. A box with 100 strips does not last a month depending on how serious the individual problem is. There are nurses in America who goes to the patient home to provide wound care to these patients so that their wound to not get out of hand hence amputation. Please Mr Prime minister do this one thing for our country. If patients can monitor their food there will be a better outcome.

  2. Anonymous
    September 14, 2012

    The fight against diabetes starts with promoting a certain lifestyle and reducing the number of diabetics. By the time one is facing amputation, the disease has already affected the heart and kidneys. Where are the sport programs in schools? Where are the government policies that packaged foods should show nutritional content? Yesterday in nyc, oversized drinks were banned. Reducing amputations means changing the lifestyle and mentality of Dominicans.

  3. Olivia
    September 13, 2012

    One of the problems is excessive use of insulin in Dominica. Insulin is needed by diabetics, however there is a tendency in Dominica to give higher doses than necessary and then tell patients that they can eat what they want. Patients who experience hypoglycemia episodes during the night are told to eat buiscuits before bedtime to ensure that the blood sugar level doesn’t drop too low.
    Insulin being an inflammatory hormone, contributes to peripheral vascular diseases. The solution? Reduce carbs consumption (bread, dasheen, added sugar, rice), increase vegetables and lean proteins, and increase exercise. This will lead to the reduction of insulin and a decrease of inflammation.

  4. Soon Come.
    September 13, 2012

    Government must keep in constant dialogue with the Doctors on the island and ensure doctor and patient relationship and transparency to treatment options before amputations in particular are performed.
    Please let us not treat amputations as a quick fix.

  5. Jackie Brown
    September 13, 2012

    They should start teaching about this at primary and schools and more information should be displayed at the health centres and hospital waiting rooms. People need to start cutting down on fatty food and sugar more exercise at least half and hour walking every day.

  6. Looking in
    September 12, 2012

    With the type of health services available in Dominica, the reduction in the number of diabetes related amputations will decrease by 95 percent within the next two years, for there will be little or no more to amputate. Poor us. We cannot improve our health services but we can build a palace. chuupes

  7. FLORIDA
    September 12, 2012

    Written information needs to be given out to patients. As well as children and adults who are diabetic. When patients are been released from the hospital this info. needs to be provided to them.
    Proper Diabetes Foot and Toenail Care is needed. For instance, Proper Diabetic Shoes. Diabetes can damage your nerves (Diabetic Neuropathy). One may not notice a foot injury until severe damage or infection has developed.

    Poor blood flow: The second problem happens when not enough blood flows to the legs and feet. This problem is called Peripheral Vascular Disease. Smoking when one has diabetes makes blood flow problem much worst.

    The hospital needs Podiatrist, Dietitians and Endocrinologist. An ”endocrinologist” is a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the endocrine system, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and many others.

  8. Nudibranch
    September 12, 2012

    proper nutrition, less sugar in “local juices” and training in how to use the hyperbaric chamber which is where all diabetic wounds should be treated.

  9. SCROOGE
    September 12, 2012

    nonse , the govt. should have no say in what i want to buy to eat with my money. once it is legal i should be able to buy it . it is the respnosibility of the individual to eat right.

  10. Dr. Lucia John
    September 12, 2012

    There is a way to help normalize Diabetes in a quick, easy way. go to this link and see an actual study done with the Ho-Chunk tribe on an Indian Reservation in America. 80 – 90% of the tribe had Diabetes when it started. By the time the study ended, that number was drastically reduced, lots of amputations were prevented, and the people learned to practice prevention. http://youtu.be/jum-SRKGwzQ
    This study has been repeated again and again with groups all over the world with similar results.

    When the body has sufficiently deep rest, it normalizes the different functions that may have gone off track and gets them to work in a more coherent and normal way. Persons who practice Transcendental Meditation regularly, experience a normalization of their blood sugar, normalization of High Blood Pressure and an increase of energy and creativity, happiness and clearer thinking.

    • Tiger
      September 13, 2012

      Lady, stay out of that conversation. Let real doctors speak.

      You does contwahyeh me everytime you open your mouth.

  11. T mama
    September 12, 2012

    Control sugar intake…drink alot of water and watch your starchy foods…I still think they are quick to cut off people’s legs…take time to treat it…ask Doctors that have saved persons from amputations by taking time to treat the person,,,but still people take care of yourselves..a little bruise that is not attended too, especially if you are diabetic can get really infected…chk it early…

  12. pearl
    September 12, 2012

    It;s we the people that have to take care of ourselves,the government can’t do it for us,not the government that have to take the responsibility for the citizens to keep healthy they don’t buy our food we do so it’ up to all of us that has diabetise to control what we put in our mouth,an always keep our feet clean.

  13. Health Conscious
    September 12, 2012

    Actually the people of DOminica can kill several birds with one stone if they embark on lifestyle changes.

    With some simple changes to their diets and an increase in exercise they can reduce the incidence of diebetes, high blood pressure, obesity and excess weight, some cancers, cardiovascular problems. Dominicans are a little on the heavy side and they have to take steps to reduce their weight. Unlike what we thought a long time ago, it is not a sign of good living.

    Also the health care practitioners have to start treating people and not illnesses. By that I mean, they have to encourage people (especially those at risk) to monitor their health. They should not go to see the doctor only when they feel ill.

    In my case, I have high cholesterol and high blood pressure and I am are a high risk to develop prostate cancer due to family history. As a result of this, I see my dictor every 3 months. As soon as I am walking out of my dictor’s office, I make another appointment 3 months out.

    I do blood work several times a year to make sure my cholesterol and PSA are under control. My doctor checks my weight and blood pressure every time I see her.

    I am not saying I might not still die young, but I want to give myself the best odds possible.

  14. grell
    September 12, 2012

    will alwys say my people go back to eating what you grow,stay away fom all the cheap imported foods.mac and cheese the canned beans cook your raw beans.wake up my people.

  15. raws
    September 12, 2012

    The most important thing that diabetics can do besides controlling their blood sugar, is to inspect the bottom of their feet every night before going to bed.

  16. counselor
    September 12, 2012

    This is an important issue for the minister to be concerned with, but what I do not understand is the fact that these guys always depict the problems, yet, they never outline the measures or solutions to make the difference.
    I know that you have to have a vision and a timetable to achieve your goals, but these goals should always be realistic and attainable. I can already see a discrepancy existing. The minister and the health professionals are not on the same page, because one group is saying that the problem can be reduced by 50%, but the minister is saying that he wants it to decline by 90%. In order to achieve the best results from any project all stack holders must understand the shared vision and be in agreement with it.
    Apart from this however, I truly believe that if we can eliminate this debilitating disease we will not only protect people dignity, but we will eliminate some of the stresses that it can place on the health department in terms of cost. It will also eliminate the stresses that it put on relatives who have to take care of their love ones. It will also prevent our work force from having to loose valuable and productive citizens. The undertaken will be beneficial to society on a whole.
    The program scope should entail this five areas.
    1. Education, 2. training, Accountability, Funding and resources. If all these areas are properly managed, I believe that the minister goal can be achieved.

  17. Anonymous
    September 12, 2012

    what the government needs to do is put in place strict dieting in dominica and get rid of all grap foods in the country.
    Educate the people of how to take care and i know it can be done
    I was diagnosed with the diabetes more than seven years now,and i am not on medication,and have never pricked my fingers ever.
    Its everyone’s responsibility to take care of themselve but the government also has a responsibility to see that their citizens keep healthy.
    Ban fast foods and encourage your people to eat properly. the government is more talk than action just talk talk talk

  18. Orisha
    September 12, 2012

    The focus should be put on proper eating, and health maintenance exercises. Also the need for more freshly produced foods.

    Prevention is Better than cure.

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