World Diabetes Day was on Monday, 14th November 2011. In observance of the day, the Castle Bruce Health Team, particularly the nurses at the Salybia and Mahaut River Health Centres, organized a series of activities yesterday in the Kalinago Territory, and the community came out in full support.
Over 100 residents participated in a march from the Gaulette River bus stop to the Salybia Health Facility, displaying placards cautioning individuals to reduce their sugar intake, to start exercise programs and drink plenty of fluids to reduce the incidence of Diabetes, a disease that is increasingly on the rise across the island.
Following the march, the Nurses from the Castle Bruce Health District put on various presentations at the Salybia Health Facility to educate residents about the proper precautions that individuals must take to manage and control Diabetes. This included a presentation on proper foot care, a quiz testing residents about their knowledge of the disease, and testimonials from residents who have Diabetes.
The Kalinago Chief, Garnette Joseph, delivered an address, and informed those present of the Biggest Loser, Biggest Keeper competition that the Kalinago Council is preparing to launch in conjunction with the Castle Bruce and Marigot Health Teams, and with support from Ross University’s Salybia Mission Project.
The competition will give residents of the Territory six months to adopt healthy exercise and eating routines in order to shed unnecessary weight, with substantial cash prizes being awarded at the end of the competition to those who have lost the most weight. The activities observing World Diabetes Day were topped off with a performance from the former Calypso King, Lord Karessah, which was very much enjoyed by all.
The march and other activities observing World Diabetes Day were extremely well attended and provided residents with very useful information. The Kalinago Council is appreciative of the all the hard work of the Castle Bruce Health Team in organizing this activity for residents, in particular Nurse Winnie Joseph, Nurse Annette Thomas, Nurse Doreen Ettienne. Preparations are now being made for another major event in observance of World Aids Day.
The Castle Bruce Health Team wishes to extend its thanks to those who assisted in making the event possible, including: Central Medical Stores at PMH, Jolly’s Pharmacy, Lord Karessah, Faye Kass, the Kalinago Council, Willis Joseph, Salybia Police, Rueben Darroux, Roy Valmond, Paul Elizee, and all those who participated or assisted in putting on the activities.
I would like to commend the organizers and participants alike for helping to raise the awareness of diabetes on the reservation and on the island. Diabetes is a manageable disease through proper dieting, exercise, regular blood glucose testing, and in some cases regular insulin shots.
Regular blood glucose testing is paramount to diabetes management. However, with scarce or expensive test strips, I can only imagine how often this is done, if at all. On behalf of my nine year old son who has been coping with Type I Diabetes for the past five years, I would like to donate to the nurses for distribution to diabetic patients, the following:
10 glucose testing meters (One Touch Ultra Mini)
20 vials of test strips
10 boxes of lancers
10 control solutions
Dern Green, I would like to send my donation to the group. Let me know how you would like to proceed with this donation.
i commend you health team members for taking on that most needed venture. we need to strike out amputations resulted from cpmplications of diabetes. job well done . you all make me feel proud. keep it up nurses! we are able to make a difference.
Trust some of all you Dominicans wi….what that is supposed to be a HEALTH issue, all you take it and turn it into an ETHNICITY issue.
Good work! Education is key.
Great job keep up the good work.Hats of to the caring nurses.Save our people
Good iniciative folks,keep the people informed, educate them,thanx.
It is a shame, when some try to do their best and others just look on an just criticize. Lets learn to appreciate and respect the ones who are willing to help others.
I noted that this activity was organised by the Castle Bruce Health Team. They do not comprise only of Kalinago nurses. Should we agree and say that if someone is sick (HIV positive, Diabetes, Hypertensive etc.) he/she should not talk against it? I think we should rise above that and be glad that the affected are willing to share with others.Let us welcome their caution, experience and testimony and learn from them
Great work!Excellent! Once again you all are demonstrating to the world why the Castle Bruce Health Team is the BEST!
The nurses of The Eastern District Health Team need to be commended. Diabetes is a serious health issue. I like the emphasis on prevention.
these are not kalingo……….these are Negroes……..Negroes with a bit of kalingo in them….. seem like the kalingo race is dominicanis extinct
this nurse is very heavy built…..how can one to to another about proper nutrition looking like that….the diabetic patients are much skinnier
You can be fat or skinny and have diabetes.
What do you know about who is or isn’t Kalinago? Your mid must be as tiny as ur name
LOL YOU TOO STUPID.. THAT’S NOPT THE WHOLE VILLAGE YOU DUMB GOAT.. THERE ARE A FEW OF THEM WITH MIXED FEATURES THESE PPL IN THE PICTURE DOES NOT SPEAK FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.. PLUS MOSTLY EVERY ONE IN DOMINICA HAS KALINAGO IN THEM ANYWAYS.
LOl lOl Dominicans hve Kalinago in dem zoor.look nonsense don’t claim what ur nt my brother. Mostly all Dominicans a negroos. Mixed pple a found on the east coast.Kalinago Alu neg wanna be nah stupes.
Ok colleagues,I’m behind you 100% in spirit,good looking out