Today is World Diabetes Day and the local association invited everyone, especially schoolchildren to its open day at the KHMH parking lot. And awareness advocates says they've got to get the word out, because new information released just today say that between sixteen and seventeen percent of the population has diabetes. The Director of Health Services Dr. Jorge Polanco told us what that means.
Dr. Jorge Polanco, Director of Health Services
"Out of every hundred adults, seventeen of them are diabetic and I am very very sure that a significant portion of them were not aware. I think it is about seven percent if I am not mistaken were not aware that they were diabetic. What makes it frightening is that it is a disease that creeps up, creeps on you, you will not be aware if you will not take a test as a young adult."
Anthony Castillo, Belize Diabetes Association
"We have type one diabetes which is juvenile diabetes and quite a number of young persons recently are coming down with this condition. I think it is a crisis for everyone but the Ministry of Health I think is taking the lead in this. They have just completed their survey, they have the stats, they are the ones who share the stats with us, and if they have the information then I think the ball is in their court to make the next move."
This is diabetes week and awareness activities continue on Thursday with a seminar at the City Center conference room.
