Dear Editor,
I am glad that health issues are continuing to be a major concern of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government. I say this based on the fact that the Health Ministry made the announcement that Guyanese can “Get screened for diabetes from 1 of 400 facilities.” The word from Technical Officer for Diabetes at the Chronic Diseases Unit, Dr Nandishaw Ramsingh, is that “We have at least 400 facilities nationwide. This includes health centres, health posts and hospitals. (There-fore) We are encouraging persons to visit their nearest health facility. One single screening by way of a blood test, we can at least be able to tell what your blood sugar levels are like.”
And why is this important, and thus the urging to be screen?
Well, we need to realise that diabetes is a major public health problem that is approaching epidemic proportions globally. Worldwide, the prevalence of chronic, noncommunicable diseases is increasing at an alarming rate. The statistics show that about 18 million people die every year from cardiovascular disease, for which diabetes and hypertension are major predisposing factors. Today, more than 1.7 billion adults worldwide are overweight, and 312 million of them are obese.
It gets more ominous, as at least 155 million children worldwide are overweight or obese. No wonder a diabetes epidemic is underway.
I take note that “In observance of Caribbean Wellness Day, the Health Ministry (was) encouraging the general populace to get screened for diabetes, and utilise the services available at some 400 facilities countrywide.” My word is that there needs to be an awareness irrespective of special days and occasions. Now that the opportunities are so plenteous and facilities are countrywide, there should no letting-up from the populace. After all, early diagnosis is the way to go.
I appeal to readers that they must realise that there is every reason to take the requisite steps now. The figures show that there is need to act and not wait. According to an estimate from the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people with diabetes is 246 million (with 46% of all those affected in the 40–59 age group) and this will likely increase to 380 m by 2025. No wonder the PPP/C Government’s the health sector in 2023, was allocated a mammoth $84 billion to ensure there be rapid infrastructural development, as well as better access to primary healthcare.
Yours truly,
HB Singh