The consultant physician at Gozo General Hospital, Robert Sciberras, expressed concern at a picture emerging from a Vivian Corporation diabetes study, saying that more people seem to be accepting a condition which is not normal.
“We have a very serious situation here, that diabetes is so common that people are no longer afraid of it. Similar to diabetes, we have the issue of child obesity which has reached very urgent levels across Malta and Gozo. People need to understand that obesity, too, may lead to diabetes and that today’s obesity will translate into future problems,” he said.
504 Gozitans took part in the second phase of the diabetes awareness campaign ‘Accu-chek in Gozo’ coordinated by Vivian Corporation with the collaboration of the Gozo General Hospital and community pharmacies. Pharmacists reported a general increase in the number of questions on diabetes and blood glucose monitoring, suggesting that the objective of creating awareness on the condition and changing attitudes to a positive outlook to diabetes was achieved since the campaign’s start in September.
The final results of the campaign were presented during a presentation hosted by Vivian Corporation at Arka Foundation in Għajnsielem.
The presentation of the results was followed by a forum for healthcare professionals, resulting in various points emerging, such as that diabetes has a big influence not only on the suffering individual but also on society at large, and that there exists a lack and a need for a structural educational support system that educates children from a very young age about the importance of healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle in general.
During the discussion, those present agreed that the way forward should be that all those involved in the health sector should come together and deliver education and support in a structured way involving all available channels. As such, it was argued that local councils could play a very important role in this issue.
It was also noted that there may be a lack of services, such as that of a psychologist for newly diagnosed patients. The need for a functional multi-disciplinary team is essential to guide people on how to live with diabetes with a positive outlook to their condition.
“The message that we want to put across is very clear and straightforward,” said Yan Grima, product specialist at Vivian Corporation. “Blood glucose monitoring is the key for the prevention and management of diabetes, a condition which does not only affect the individual’s lifestyle but also those around them. No one can pretend that the risk is not there. Knowing is the best way to safeguard one’s future without complications.”
Alarming figures about diabetes are emerging. Diabetes now affects approximately 346 million people worldwide. The past five years have seen the number of people with diabetes increase by 27%. Locally, some 10% of the population suffer from diabetes. Apart from the effect diabetes has on one’s life, the economic burden of healthcare costs should also be taken into consideration. The WHO reports that diabetes care costs 2.5-15% of the total direct health care expenditure.