Eyes on diabetes

At that time, 70 odd years ago, there was not widespread education on this disease which is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation.

Over one-third of all people currently living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes will develop some form of damage to their eyes that can lead to blindness.

These complications can be prevented or delayed by maintaining blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as close to normal as possible. Empowering and educating yourself with the knowledge and skills to manage your condition is the key to managing your disease and decreasing the risk of complications. A wise man once said; “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela.

World Diabetes Day (WDD), created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes, is celebrated annually on November 14. Also promoting awareness in TT is Anica Sanoir, chief executive officer/lead educator of the Caribbean Lifestyle Diabetes Centre, located at Old Southern Main Road in Chaguanas.

Sanoir, a registered nurse, completed the educator’s examination through the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, in 2012, and was the first of two Caribbean certificated diabetes educators in the country. In 2013 she obtained a postgraduate diploma in diabetes from the University of Glamorgan, England; and then a MSc in Diabetes in 2014. Sanoir takes her specialty very seriously to the extent that she wears her long hair blue in November - Diabetes Awareness Month - and blue is the colour.

The theme of World Diabetes Day (WDD)ON Monday November 14, is “Eyes on diabetes”. The key messages guiding the campaign are: •Screening for type 2 diabetes is important to modify its course and reduce the risk of complications.

•Screening for diabetes complications is an essential part of managing all types of diabetes The country report 2015 from the IDF for Trinidad and Tobago states: •one in seven adults has diabetes •28.1 per cent of adults with diabetes are undiagnosed •diabetes cases (20 - 79 years) 140,300 adults •Number of people with undiagnosed diabetes (20-79) 39,400 adults •Diabetes related deaths 1,600 adults •Diabetes related expenditure US $1,263.2 USD per adult person with diabetes In its commitment to improving the quality of life of people with and without diabetes, through raising public awareness and prevention of diabetes mellitus in making people more aware, empowered and educated about diabetes, CLDC has embarked on a Diabetes Awareness Campaign 2016 “Tomorrow’s Prevention, Today” for the entire month. The mission is “to empower people with diabetes and their families to become efficient at self-management through education which would lead to optimal health and improved quality of life.” The campaign will involve various health fairs throughout the country focusing on screening of eyes, blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

CLDC has also partnered with The Girl Guides Association of Trinidad and Tobago and will make the formation of the Human Blue Circle as a symbolic representation of the international symbol for diabetes in five divisions, and publish a diabetes magazine focused on reshaping diabetes health care management for this growing population, free of charge to the public.

Sanoir is asking: “In recognising November as diabetes awareness month, join the campaign to raise awareness by wearing blue each Friday in November. Encourage your family and friends to do the same to help bring diabetes to the forefront of everyone’s mind this November. Think blue. Wear blue for diabetes awareness.”