[www.inewsguyana.com] – Fifty- two children diagnosed with diabetes were on Friday, February 06 provided with basic diabetes testing kits, inclusive of a year-long supply of strips, by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Guyana Diabetics Association and Life for a Child.
Parents who attended the event with their children were educated on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
During a presentation by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, it was noted that out of a population of 747,884 people, the average group of 27 years and over is diagnosed with diabetes in Guyana.
It was also acknowledged that persons 65 years and older account for 5.2% of the diagnosis, while persons between 15-64 years account for 68.6% of it. Also 26.2% of the diagnosis is within the age range of 0-14 years.
According to Dr. Persaud, unhealthy lifestyles is one of the main contributors to this situation, and the substitution of regular active pastimes like bike riding, to playing with technological devices.
Dr. Persaud also pointed out that 9% of 15,000 babies, weighed in 2014, were overweight; this would be over 1300 babies.
The CMO added that in order to turn this situation around, it is important for persons to adopt smart and healthier practices. [Extracted and modified from GINA]
