On Friday, November 5, the Health Ministry launched diabetes awareness month under the theme: Access to Diabetes Care the Time is Now. The initiative seeks to provide access to proper screening and assessment given the growing number of people with undiagnosed diabetes.
State Minister for Health and Wellness, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn says people with diabetes are more susceptible to severe symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. She says 42% of those who have died from the COVID-19 virus in Jamaica had diabetes. She also noted that while 1/8 of every Jamaican has diabetes, 4/10 persons with the disease are unaware. She also noted that while 92.5% of Jamaicans 15 years and older are on treatment, only 27.5% are controlled.
Cuthbert-Flynn says the people should engage in activities that will prevent diabetes and non-communicable diseases as awareness is important. Meanwhile, she says those who require treatment should do so now and be consistent in accessing their care facilities. As she notes that this knowledge could mean the difference between life and death.
The State Minister says with the significant demand the pandemic placed on the country’s public health system, other illnesses particularly non-communicable diseases have not been receiving the necessary attention.
More in this CVM Live story from Javine McLean:
