Jamaicans with Diabetes Not Managing Their Condition

Jamaicans with diabetes are failing to comply with the advice of healthcare professionals relating to the management and control of the non-communicable disease (NCD).

“Based on what we are seeing in the field, the compliance is just not happening. The management isn’t happening tight enough, so we are still getting a lot of complications – kidney failure, heart disease and amputations,” Executive Director of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica, Lurline Less, told JIS News.

“Lifestyle changes as it relate to how persons eat, take medication (and) follow up with their doctors is not happening as it should to prevent the complications,” she added.

Mrs. Less informed that some persons tend to listen to friends and neighbours, which only serves to complicate the problem.

“We need more public education. Kidney failure is costing about one and a half million dollars a year to keep someone alive when we could prevent it,” she pointed out

Mrs. Less told JIS News that diabetes affects 13.9 per cent of the over 15 age group and there are number of kids with the disease. “It is equal in both men and women,” she said.

She strongly advises persons with diabetes to take counsel from doctors and pharmacists in order to properly manage the condition.

Proper diet and exercise can also help to prevent the debilitating effects of diabetes.

The Diabetes Association of Jamaica will observe November 2 to 29 as National Diabetes Month under the theme: ‘Diabetes Education and Prevention: Healthy Eating Begins With Breakfast’.

The list of activities for the month includes a church service, screenings and health fairs.

The Association will mark World Diabetes Day on November 13, a day before it is observed internationally.