Campbellville Health Centre yesterday kicked off World Diabetes Day observances with an awareness drive on the chronic disease.
The centre observed World Diabetes Day two days before the actual date in order to accommodate its child healthcare clinic, which is usually held on Thursdays. World Diabetes Day will be celebrated tomorrow under the theme “Diabetes Education and Prevention.”
A large congregation of people lined up to be tested at the centre yesterday morning, while others perused the awareness campaign desks. Accord-ing to the doctor in charge of the health centre Dr. Kampta Prashad, there were over 70 patients treated for first quarter of the morning. He said that he was excited to see more people since the center would have closed at 20:00 hrs.
The awareness campaign was divided into four units, targetting patients’ dietary consumption, and their adherence to prescriptions, discussions on the disorder and awareness on diabetic foot amputation.
The centre also distributed pamphlets and displayed footwear for patients with sensitivity loss in their feet. “What we are doing is showing them the right foot ear that they should wear,” Prashad said.
He noted that the centre is faced with the challenge of treating patients who refuse to comply with prescription schedules. He added that diabetic patients who “skip” doses of their medication are the ones that have the most complications. “However, we are trying every day to help them. Every time they come to our clinic we would preach to them,” he added.
The centre treats on average 60 diabetic patients every Tuesday. The majority of them, Prashad said, are elderly persons.
During yesterday’s observance, the centre also collaborated with its oral health team to educate diabetic patients on the importance of having a healthy mouth. “Diabetes has a lot to do with dental health, so we decided to collaborate with them so that patients can have oral health at the same time,” he stated, while noting that diabetic patients are more prone to contract infections because their body’s level of resistance is low.
Speaking to Stabroek News, one patient said that she preferred going to the health centre because of its friendlier accommodation and quicker service. ‘I rather come here than go to the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre,” said Michele Fraser.
Another woman, who is a regular patient at the centre, stated that she was treated “good” whenever she visited. “It’s been good I have no complaints,” she noted.
