The fol…lowing is a statement from Rosalind Alexis, President of Grenada Diabetes Association:
“Diabetes accounts for high morbidity and mortality rates in Grenada and the rest of the Caribbean. It is a pandemic, and it is estimated that within 20 years there will be over 380 million persons with diabetes. It is a common chronic disease which can affect persons at any age. The incidence of adults and children with diabetes is increasing worldwide. According to the Caribbean statistics approx.10-15% of the adult population is affected by diabetes. It is imperative that persons understand the serious impact of diabetes and know, where possible, how to avoid or delay Diabetes and its complications.
Seeing that diabetes is a pandemic we cannot afford to be complacent and try to fight this terror on our own pretending that we do not know what is happening to our neighbours worldwide. We need each other. A collaborated effort, locally, regionally and internationally is what we need to promote diabetes prevention, self-management, and education.”