World Diabetes Day activities conclude with awareness walk

Nov 16, 2014 News

A “Diabetes Awareness Walk” yesterday morning marked the end of local activities for World Diabetes Day which was observed on November 14.
The event was planned and executed by the Ministry of Health, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Lions Club of D’Urban Park.

Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Michael Khan and Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, participate in the Diabetes Awareness Walk.

Participants included Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan, along with staff from the GPHC, students from the School of Nursing, members of the Lions Club of D’Urban Park and staffers of PAHO.
The activity commenced at the GPHC and concluded at the “Wellness Park”, opposite the Square of the Revolution, with a free medical outreach programme.
In his address to the gathering, Minister Ramsaran said that “approximately 78% of local deaths result from chronic diseases, non communicable diseases, cardiovascular conditions, cancers and pulmonary conditions.”
He said that Guyanese should lower their salt intake, as a first step toward reducing the statistics.
Ramsaran urged those in attendance to exercise frequently, eat healthy and control their use of tobacco and alcohol.
Khan in his address noted that “75 % of the beds in GPHC are occupied by patients with chronic diseases, with the majority of them being diabetic.”
He recommended that persons get screened for diabetes as early as possible.
Several persons benefitted from the medical outreach, which included hypertension, blood sugar testing and expert nutritional advice from GPHC’s nutritionists, Deborah Andrews and Djamilsa Lambert.

Participants of the Diabetes Awareness Walk.

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