Saint Lucia observes World Diabetes Day, outlines its consequences

Diabetes or Pisa Dou, as it is commonly called in Saint Lucia, is a chronic disease, which affects 1 in 8 adults worldwide.

Saint Lucia observes World Diabetes Day, outlines its consequences
Saint Lucia observes World Diabetes Day, outlines its consequences Photo Credits: Government of Saint Lucia Facebook Page

Castries, Saint Lucia: Diabetes or Pisa Dou, as it is commonly called in Saint Lucia, is a chronic disease, which affects 1 in 8 adults worldwide. Left untreated or poorly treated, Diabetes affects the whole body, leaving death and disability in its path. Many, have witnessed the havoc wreaked by Diabetes on the lives of our loved ones.

Over the past decade, Diabetes has consistently been among the 4 leading causes of death in Saint Lucia. There are different types of Diabetes, the most common type being Type 2 Diabetes, which accounts for 90-95% of all Diabetes cases. Type 2 Diabetes, which is generally a lifestyle disease, can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes such as keeping physically active, eating healthy and losing weight if overweight.

The theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day is “Diabetes Education to Protect Tomorrow”. Education involves the giving and receiving of knowledge or information. How can we become better educated when it comes to Diabetes?

An estimated 422 million people worldwide have Diabetes. Unfortunately, half of these persons are not aware that they are Diabetic. Education starts with knowing. Screening for Diabetes is free in Saint Lucia. Educate yourself. Know your status when it comes to Diabetes! Visit any one of our 34 wellness centres island wide from 8am to 4 pm on weekdays.

Education also involves taking advantage of opportunities to learn about Diabetes and how to protect our health. While all health care providers must continue to educate themselves and the nation’s population about Diabetes, persons with or without Diabetes must also try to find out how to prevent the condition for themselves and their families or how to manage Diabetes.

Most of the long-term management of Diabetes is done by the Diabetic and his/her family members. Knowing about Diabetes and how to manage day to day can be the difference between life and death. Currently, many of our healthcare professionals and community members are trained in teaching Diabetics to manage their Diabetes at home. We offer a six-week programme that equips diabetics and their family members with the knowledge they need to effectively manage Diabetes. Call your nearest wellness centre to register. The course is free and is offered virtually and faceto-face.

In Saint Lucia, essential medicines for Diabetics have been offered to patients without paying out of pocket cost. Additionally, nutritional counselling, diabetic retinopathy screening, foot care, and health education are all freely available at the wellness centres.

The Ministry is currently in the process of embarking on a pilot project, which will also make lab testing of no cost to Diabetics and hypertensive patients Despite the many efforts to ensure access to care for diabetics, a lack of adequate education limits the population’s use of these services.

As we commemorate World diabetes day, I want to challenge all St Lucians to become part of the Diabetes education reform. Healthcare professionals, keep on learning about Diabetes and share what you are learning with your colleagues and your patients. Diabetics, learn about your condition, from the right sources. 

Be on top of your game by receiving and pursuing and acting on the education to ensure a better quality of life. Community members, look out for each other, educate your students, teachers, church members and share this information and use it for action towards a better tomorrow.