Polye throws support behind diabetes fight

Opposition Leader Don Polye yesterday led his staff to participate in a free diabetes blood check.

The event was organised by the Diabetes Association of PNG and Gerehu Medical Centre as part of the World Diabetes Day 2016, a campaign for advocacy and awareness of the disease.

In a statement at Jack Pidik Park yesterday afternoon, Polye said: “Today is World Diabetes Day. There are more than 400 million people diagnosed with diabetes around the world, with it causing 1 in 4 people to die every second. This is shocking!”

He says diabetes is also another major health issue in PNG.

“Diabetic Association of PNG tells us that diabetes is a very common yet silent killer! All Papua New Guineans should know that diabetes is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) affecting many of our people each day.

“It is sad to note that many of our people are unaware that they have the disease and are diagnosed only after experiencing serious sickness such as kidney, heart or eye problems, which are in fact complications from untreated diabetes.

“A lot of our people are also dying from diabetes because they do not know that they have it or that it is preventable.

“According to the Diabetes Association of PNG, our nation has the highest number of patients with Type II diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) in the Western Pacific region. It is frightening to know that it is predicted that diabetes will overtake HIV/AIDS infections as the highest killer of our people in the future.”

Polye went on to state that the theme of World Diabetes Day is ‘Eye on Diabetes’ and this was very appropriate as ‘it is up to all of us to educate ourselves and raise awareness of the dangers of diabetes, and to know how to prevent it from affecting our friends, families and ourselves’.

“Early diagnosis is the key. Blindness is an irreversible complication of untreated diabetes but can be easily diagnosed and treated if detected early.”

Polye, speaking to members of the public at Jack Pidik Park, said: “So what is diabetes? According to the World Health Organization, diabetes is a serious chronic disease that occurs either when the body does not produce enough insulin, which regulates how the body uses or stores sugar and fat, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.”

There are two major types of diabetes: Type 1, which is most frequent amongst children and adolescents, and type 2, which is most frequent amongst adults.

In a statement, Polye said: “Diabetes can also affect pregnant women and is called gestational diabetes. If undiagnosed, it can have serious complications for mother and baby; even death.

“Diabetes is mostly caused by obesity (being overweight), lack of exercise, eating unhealthy (fatty, sugary) diet, smoking, chewing betelnut and excessive drinking of alcohol.

“The symptoms of both Type I and Type II diabetes are similar – frequent urination, increased thirst, unexplained weight loss, constant hunger, changes in vision and fatigue (constant tiredness).”

He says diabetes can be prevented by losing weight and maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising for at least 30 minutes each day, eating a healthy and balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits and cutting down on sugary, fatty and salty foods, avoiding smoking, chewing betelnut and excessive drinking of alcohol.”

Polye then acknowledged the work of the Diabetes Association of PNG, the National Department of Health, all hospitals, clinics, doctors, nurses and other health professionals who work hard to advocate and create public awareness of this terrible disease.

“I thank all the healthcare professionals in the country who work tirelessly to educate, diagnose and treat our people all around PNG to protect themselves from diabetes by living healthy, active lives and getting checked for the disease.

“Diabetes is preventable! If we focus on being healthy, we can protect ourselves and each other from becoming sick from illnesses such as diabetes and other preventable diseases.”

Author: 
Press release