An estimated 10% of the Belizean population has diabetes. That's a startling figure and even more worrying is the fact that it often goes un-diagnosed. That's why diabetes is called the silent killer. Now the Diabetes Association hopes to out the insidious disease through an awareness campaign. That's the reason for diabetes week which starts tomorrow with a walk in Belize City. President of Belize's Association Anthony Castillo is asking for the public to get involved.
Anthony Castillo, President
"For us in Belize, from the Belize Diabetes Association, has planned a week of activities in commemoration of this day. We start off tomorrow, Saturday, with a walk. This walk begins at 6:30 from in front of the City Center, it will take us over Belcan Bridge, into Freetown Road, Douglas Jones Street, North Front Street, and ends at the Memorial Park.
Basically the purpose of this walk is to create an awareness. You may not know but there is an increase, in consultations with persons from the Ministry of Health, there are indications that diabetes is on the increase in Belize and we will start off this week of activities with a walk. We want to create awareness. We want persons who are living with this condition, our friends, our supporters, to come forward and show support for persons living with diabetes.
Global Diabetes Day is the global campaign on diabetes. That is the day set aside by IDF that countries throughout the world, who are affiliated with IDF, will celebrate and will bring to the forefront an awareness of diabetes. Everyone should care about diabetes. It is a chronic condition which seems to be sneaking on persons. Studies have been done and it shown that a little over fifty percent of the persons living with diabetes do not know that there are living with this condition. So it is something like HIV and Aids, you need to come forward and get tested and know your status."
Tuesday is World Diabetes Day and to mark it, the association will hold a health fair in the KHMH parking lot.
