Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 16 2023 (ZIZ Newsroom): On Monday The St. Kitts Diabetes Association started the second edition of the project, “A Healthier You”.
The project involves two weeks of interaction with children ages 8 to 10 years.
Activities to be undertaken during the week, include measurements of weight, height, blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as demonstrations of healthy, enjoyable exercises.
The school selected for the program this week is the Dr. William Connor Primary school.
According to the Association’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Reginald O’Loughlin the main emphasis is placed on increasing physical activity and eating healthily in order to prevent or delay the onset of chronic noncommunicable diseases like Diabetes.
Dr. O’Loughlin said at the end of this project, these children would hopefully be able to “lead the charge in changing the mindset of their peers in relation to those 2 major activities, namely eating habits and exercise”.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 11, 2023 (ZIZ Newsroom): The St. Kitts Diabetes Association, continued its drive to assist persons living with diabetes and using insulin as part of their treatment with a donation of a quantity of insulin syringes, to the Government pharmacy at the Pogson Medical center, on Tuesday morning.
The Pharmacist, Donnette Mars, received the syringes on behalf of the institution and thanked the association for this assistance.
According to the Association’s Public Relations Officer Dr. Reginald O’Loughlin the donation “would go a long way in assistance persons receiving insulin at this location but still having to go elsewhere to purchase syringes in order to dose this medication. As a result of this donation persons receiving insulin at that pharmacy will also receive a quantity of syringes”
The Diabetes Association also thanked the group of concerned Kittitians living in North America and Canada, who came together and organized a shipment of insulin syringes to the St Kitts Diabetes Association, for distribution to persons in need.
The government dispensaries at Newtown Health Center and Basseterre Health Center as well as the dispensary at JNF hospital received similar donations last week.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 28, 2023 (ZIZ Newsroom): The St. Kitts Diabetes Association has received a donation of insulin syringes from a group of Kittitians living abroad.
The syringes were donated by four Kittitians residing in Florida, New York, Toronto and the Virgin Islands.
According to Public Relations Officer of the St. Kitts Diabetes Association Dr. Reginald O’Loughlin “persons living with diabetes can receive insulin at our various government health centers but they must purchase the syringes, needed to dose the said insulin and this additional cost can pose challenges for some persons.”
He said the donation is “much appreciated and will allow us to assist a number of such individuals, who hitherto, were reusing syringes or skipping doses, in order to save money for other much-needed items”
In April of 2023, the group “Friends of the SK Diabetes Association” decided to solicit contributions from family and friends and set a goal of obtaining 20,000 syringes by August 31st 2023. The group reached their target on May 27th. The 20,000 syringes are now in the possession of the St. Kitts Diabetes Association who will coordinate the distribution.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 13, 2023 (ZIZ Newsroom): The St. Kitts Diabetes Association will be continuing its public awareness efforts later this month with the hosting of a special meeting on the specific impacts diabetes can have on the body.
According to Public Relations Officer of the St Kitts Diabetes Association, Dr. Reginald O’Loughlin, this time they’ll be focusing on diabetes and neuropathy or nerve damage.
He said “Diabetes is such a big topic. So we have decided to address diabetes and damage to nerves known as neuropathybecause that is a big thing and when that happens you have lots of other problems going along with it. So we’re going to be focusing on neuropathy, that is to say the injury, the damage to nerves caused by diabetes when it is not properly controlled.”
He said informing the public about the damage to nerves prepare them to avoid worst case scenarios.
“We all hear about amputations, people losing their foot, as we say, and we wonder ‘why?’,” he said. “And quite often it is linked to this specific complication, neuropathy. You know, you walk around the place, people often walk without shoes, or with shoes ill-fitting, or shoes which have holes in them, and as a result of this, they sustain injuries, they sustain damage, which they may not even notice, because there is no pain associated with this, until a few weeks after, when they notice that the foot looks different, feels different, and smells different, and so some dramatic action would have to be taken, quite often associated with surgery.”
Dr. O’Loughlin said through meetings such as these the Diabetes Association aims to arm the public with the information necessary to reduce the impact the disease has on the population.
He said “This meeting is a continuation of the effort of the St. Kitts Diabetes Association to sensitize persons, not only persons living with diabetes, but persons who may be related to them, or persons who just would like to know a bit more about diabetes and the impact it can be having on hundreds of people in St. Kitts.”
He continued “As a matter of fact there are approximately 3,000 diabetics that we have in St. Kitts, and the numerous people throughout the whole world who are suffering from diabetes, and probably because a lack of information to enable them to do the correct things and avoid some of those well-known complications that we hear about so regularly.”
The meeting takes place on Sunday April 23 at 3pm at the Pro-Cathedral of St. George and St. Barnabas, also known as the St. Georges Anglican Church.
A bus will be providing transportation from every health centre around the island, beginning at 2 pm.
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]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 22, 2021 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Lake Health and Wellbeing, has launched a public awareness campaign called “You’re Sweet Enough” in order to raise awareness of the harmful effects of consuming Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) and to encourage the public to drink more water.
The campaign was launched on March 22, 2021, at the Solid Waste Management Corporation Conference Room.
According to Isalean Phillip, Advocacy and Research Officer for Lake Health and Welbeing, who spoke at the event, regular consumption of sugary drinks is found to be linked to weight gain and obesity, which are very common risk factors for developing Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and various forms of cancer.
In St. Kitts and Nevis, Non-communicable Diseases are the leading cause of death, she said, noting that Lake Health and Wellbeing is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all our communities.
“In so doing, we are happy to work along with the Government in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to combat these health challenges,” she said. “So, today, we are extremely excited to launch the “You’re Sweet Enough” Campaign, which is developed to mobilize the public to make healthy choices and drink water instead of sugary drinks.
Ms. Phillip stated that the campaign will be ongoing for nine months and will utilize various platforms to spread awareness and educate the public about the health effects of consuming sugary drinks.
“Everyone can look forward to seeing and hearing campaign messages via social media, music, videos, animations, billboards, and we will also be engaging with the public with research surveys, information sessions, and events with experts, stakeholders, and other collaborators,” she said.
The Research Officer said that with the campaign, Lake Health and Wellbeing is committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in advancing its action plan for the prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Dr. Marissa Carty, NCD Coordinator, who also spoke at the event, stated that the Ministry of Health recognizes that urgent action is needed in protecting the health of the nation and effectively combating the negative effects of excess sugar consumption.
“As such, the Ministry of Health is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Lake Health and Wellbeing in this public awareness campaign,” she said. “This campaign will afford the opportunity to share evidence-based information about SSBs to specific audiences regarding the harmful health effects of SSB consumption and to suggest healthy beverage choices such as water [instead of] the deceptive and manipulative marketing of SSBs to vulnerable communities and demographics such as children, youth and young adults.”
Dr. Carty stated that there is also a need for the implementation of adequate food labelling for sugar sweetened beverages. She added that the accessibility of SSBs can be reduced by implementing measures such as a Sweetened Beverage Tax in an effort to build support from the public and private sector stakeholders.
“Therefore, the ultimate goal of this campaign includes increased knowledge about health problems associated with intake of added sugars in Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and a behavioural change to reduce the consumption of SSBs,” she said.
Dr. Carty said that the Ministry of Health stands ready to support the campaign by encouraging the general public to “drink some water, share some love, and tell somebody “You’re Sweet Enough.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 11th, 2021 (ZIZ News) The St. Kitts Diabetes Association is continuing its 5-week health screening of students of primary and high schools in st. Kitts.
On Thursday morning the association in collaboration with the Lions Club visited the Newtown Primary School.
Speaking to ZIZ at the beginning of the screening exercise on march 4th, Dr. Reginald O’loughlin, public relations officer of the diabetes association, said that the aim is to identify persons who may be at risk of developing juvenile diabetes or may be exposed to other conditions.
The screening is done once weekly, on Thursdays.
Over the next few weeks the association will visit the Dr. William Connor Primary School, the Washington Archibald High School, and the Charles E. Mills Secondary School the week after.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 11, 2021 (SKNIS): Since the launch of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Roll-Out and Awareness Campaign on February 22, 2021, over 5000 persons have been vaccinated, reported Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws.
Dr. Laws was at the time speaking at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Press Briefing on March 10, 2021. She noted that in just two weeks 5,176 persons have received their first dose of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine. This means that 15.67 percent of the target population have received their first dose.
In St. Kitts alone, 3699 persons have received their first dose, while in Nevis 1,477 have been vaccinated.
Dr. Laws informed that anyone between the ages of 18 and 80 can access the vaccines at any health centre across the Federation. Vaccinations are now being offered at the Newtown Health Centre on Saturday mornings.
“Once you are over 18 years to 80 years of age you can walk freely into any health centre and request this vaccine,” she said. “If you are 80 or over, we are recommending that you go to your regular physician, be evaluated, and get the nod of approval that you can proceed in getting the vaccine.”
Dr. Laws added that persons working in the private sector, in particular persons who are serving the public and who are at risk of contracting COVID-19, need to be vaccinated. She said that civil servants also interacting with the public need to be vaccinated.
“If you are a customer service representative, if you are a cashier, if you are working in one of the utility companies and you have to serve the general public, you are at risk of being exposed to the virus and so you are a candidate for vaccination,” she said.
The Chief Medical Officer stated that persons with chronic medical conditions are also candidates to be vaccinated. She informed that persons with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis, and persons taking medication can take the vaccine.
“If you have any of these chronic medical conditions [you can take the vaccine], and this list is not exhaustive,” she said. “If you have any questions, you can call your regular physician and get that nod of approval, and you can go to the nearest health centre to access this vaccine.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 17, 2020 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Health, having engaged in robust outreach activities to reduce the incidence and impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), has realised significant returns, says Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett.
Minister Byron-Nisbett announced this during the Budget presentation on The Appropriation (2021) Bill, 2020, on December 16.
“Our epidemiological statistics have revealed that over the period 2015 to 2020, the incidence of new cases of diabetes and hypertension has decreased by 46.9 percent for diabetes and 44.7 percent for hypertension,” she said. “Mr. Speaker, yes this is indeed incredible data.”
The Minister added that the average mortality data, that is, the number of deaths associated with diabetes and high blood pressure are notably trending downwards to 63 percent from 83 percent.
The Health Minister said that thanks should be given to the former Minister of State with responsibility for Health, the Honourable Wendy Phipps, as this was realised under her leadership.
These results are indicative of the fact that the Ministry of Health is doing what it has promised to do, that is, influencing lifestyle changes, scaling-up screening, and detecting new cases of NCDs, and linking those cases to management and care, said Minister Byron-Nisbett.
This achievement can also be linked to the three-year Taiwanese-St. Kitts-Nevis Renal Kidney Programme, which concluded in April 2020.
The Minister announced upcoming projects that will help fight against Chronic Metabolic Diseases in the Federation.
“I assure you, Mr. Speaker, that the start of a new project Capacity Building for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Metabolic Diseases in St. Christopher and Nevis, which is expected to be completed by April of 2024, will realise further significant benefits,” she said.
She added that “This project has been adopted from the World Health Organization (WHO) Chronic Care Model adopting three main approaches to reduce the impact of chronic diseases on the global health system. These are integrated care strategies and practices to strengthen health care capacity for the Chronic Metabolic Diseases at medical institutions and to enhance the public’s self-management capabilities relative to the metabolic diseases.”
Minister Byron-Nisbett noted that owing to the Government’s strong cooperation with the Taiwanese Government, the Ministry of Health has secured the additional vital services of a Volunteer Diabetes Educator from Taiwan, who has been working closely with the staff of the Health Promotion Unit and engaging in outreach at community Health Centres to empower persons with diabetes to successfully manage their condition.
“These initiatives have added immense value to the health sector resulting in the decreased numbers of persons with diabetes who would normally rely on the system for care,” she said.
The Minister of Health said that her Ministry will endeavour to complete several key initiatives by the end of 2021 to mitigate against NCDs.
“These include the reactivation of the NCD Commission, an entity that will provide oversight of the prevention and management of NCDs in the Federation and the development of the National Tobacco Control Act aimed at reducing the use of tobacco products in the Federation since such products confer a high predisposition to the onsets of NCDs,” she said.
Minister Byron-Nisbett noted that the Ministry’s success of the SKN Moves, which was launched in August 2020, has been instrumental in its initiative to address the onset of NCDs through increased physical activities and exercise, capitalizing on healthier food choices, and engaging in regular medical health checks. She added that in 2021 SKN Moves will be more visible across the Federation.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 11, 2020 (SKNIS): Authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis have maintained an extended strategy to promote healthier lifestyles that include organizing activities to encourage physical activity, eating healthy foods, and reducing stress levels.
The strategy is designed to reduce the incidences of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes (high blood sugar) and hypertension (high blood pressure) among the population. As a consequence of this strategy and other factors such as improvements in healthcare, residents are living longer.
The formula, however, leads to an outcome which has caught the attention of St. Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board.
“We have an ageing population. We have far more people getting to pensionable age and fewer people coming into the workforce, and in order for us to pay pension today we depend on workers today to pay,” said Kamilah Lawrence, the organization’s public relations manager. The comment was made on this week’s (December 09, 2020) edition of the radio and television programme Working for You.
Additionally, because persons are in better health at older ages such as 60 to 65 years, they are often unwilling to retire.
“They look as fabulous as you and I, and that’s why you hear them say well [I’m not] ready to go home yet out of the workforce because they still feel productive,” Ms. Lawrence stated.
The issue is not unique to St. Kitts and Nevis as many countries around the world have an ageing population and declining workforce.
To address this, many countries have turned to recruiting migrant workers, encouraging family growth through tax incentives, and increasing the age of retirement.
]]>BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, November 16, 2020 (MMS-SKN) — Diabetes is one of the four major types of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and the Federal Minister of Health the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett is making an appeal for everyone to support persons living with the disease.
Minister Byron-Nisbett made the remarks on World Diabetes Day, Saturday November 14, at the War Memorial in Fortlands, Basseterre, at the end of the St. Kitts Diabetes Association’s organised Grand Walk held under the theme ‘Walk to Cure Diabetes’.
The walk had taken the participants from the War Memorial to the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank via Bay Road and back to the War Memorial.
“I just want to thank everyone for supporting the St. Kitts Diabetes Association,” the Hon Byron-Nisbett told the walk participants who included among others the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Delores Stapleton-Harris, and the Chairman of the National Bank Group of Companies, Mr Alexis Nisbett. “Diabetes you know is one of the leading non-communicable diseases in St. Kitts and Nevis, and leading causes of deaths from non-communicable diseases.”
She advised there was need, as a government, to do all that it can to ensure that persons understand the importance of taking care of themselves by testing for the disease, exercising regularly, eating right, and for persons living with diabetes to make sure they take their medication. The actions outlined by the Honourable Minister are being referred to by the acronym ‘TEEM’.
“We want everyone to continue to support persons living with diabetes,” said Minister Byron-Nisbett. “You have family members – make sure they do what they are supposed to do, and for you to avoid getting diabetes yourself, do what you are supposed to do, eat properly, exercise regularly, all these to ensure that we do not have the high numbers of persons living with diabetes or dying from diabetes each year.”
In conclusion she thanked all the walk participants for supporting the St. Kitts Diabetes Association. She added: “I think you (the Association) have your annual general meeting tomorrow (Sunday November 15), so we want to encourage the members to support and then we look forward to next year’s awareness – but remember the awareness goes all year round.”
World Diabetes Day was this year held under the theme ‘The Nurse and Diabetes’. Addressing participants at the end of the Grand Walk, President of the St. Kitts Diabetes Association Nurse Christine Wattley told all persons concerned and persons living with diabetes: “One thing I want us all to go with today – think about a nurse. Just think about a nurse and the difference the nurses make in the fight against diabetes.”
Grand Walk participants had defied an early morning shower and assembled at the War Memorial just before 6:00 am, where the St. Kitts Diabetes Association’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Reginald O’Loughlin, led them through some warm-up exercises before they set off at 6:25 am.
At the end of the walk Dr Lincoln Carty, who apart from those walkers who ran and jogged throughout the entire course was the first walker to return to the War Memorial, dismissed the participants with a word of prayer.
“We thank you (Lord) for the opportunity that you gave us to come together to walk not only for our own health, but to stimulate thinking about diabetes and to make people aware of the fact that trusting you and compliance with all the things they can do to alleviate that problem can happen,” said Dr Lincoln Carty. “We pray that you go with us as we go through this day and may we strive always to just live the way you want us to live so we can enjoy a little bit of heaven right down here.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 30, 2020 (SKNIS): Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws said that according to a journal article published in the Lancet on July 17, 2020, diabetes does not increase the risk of a person contracting COVID-19, however, patients over 60 with COVID-19 and uncontrolled diabetes have a poorer outcome.
Dr. Laws was at the time speaking at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) COVID-19 Press Briefing held on July 29, 2020. The article was entitled “COVID-19 in people with diabetes: understanding the reasons for worse outcomes.”
The Chief Medical Officer stated that diabetes is known to confer increased risk for infections-respiratory tract infections. She added that diabetics in general have an increased risk of infection in previous outbreaks of SARS, MERS and HH1N1 Influenza. However, this does not seem to be the case for COVID-19.
“They are finding out that diabetes does not really increase the risk of you picking up or contracting COVID-19,” she said. “Diabetes is however more frequent in patients with COVID-19. In other words, if you contract COVID-19 and have diabetes, the risk of you developing the severe form of COVID-19 is increased.”
The Chief Medical Officer reaffirmed that the disease does not increase the risk of picking up COVID-19, however, if a person is a diabetic and contracts the virus, the chance of developing the severe form of the virus, requiring hospitalization, is increased.
Dr. Laws stated that data from two hospitals in Wuhan involving 1561 patients with COVID-19 showed that those with diabetes (DM) were more likely to require admission to ICU or to die. Also, data from a British cohort of 5693 in hospital patients with COVID-19 showed the risk of death was more common in those with uncontrolled diabetes (DM).
Patients with COVID-19 and diabetes have a worse prognosis, said Dr. Laws.
“Patients with COVID-19 and diabetes have a worse prognosis most probably because of the concurring effects of multiple factors like age, poor blood sugar control and the presence of other chronic conditions,” she said. “So, in other words, if you have COVID-19 and diabetes and you are over 60, your outcome will be poorer.”
If a persons has COVID-19, diabetes and their blood sugar values are not controlled, their outcome would be poorer, said Dr. Laws.
“Poor glycaemic or poor control of your sugar values before hospital admission and during your hospital stay will worsen your outcome if you do get COVID-19,” she said. “So in other words, if you are diabetic it is very important that you control your blood sugar values. That’s the biggest takeaway message. If you have diabetes in the context of COVID-19, the most important thing you need to do is to get a handle of your blood sugar values.”
Dr. Laws added that patients with COVID-19 and diabetes have a greater prevalence of other chronic illnesses like heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.
The Chief Medical Officer recommended that persons who have diabetes should maintain good glycaemic control –monitor their blood sugar values and take their blood sugar medication as prescribed. If they have other chronic medical conditions like hypertension, heart disease or kidney disease, they should be compliant with their prescribed medication.
Diabetics should also adhere to their prescribed diet of fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly. They should boost their immune system by getting adequate rest, keeping well hydrated, getting adequate sunlight and taking their multivitamins/supplements.
Dr. Laws noted that if a persons is living with diabetes, they must protect themselves from the new coronavirus by wearing a facemask when in public spaces, practicing good hand hygiene, physical distancing and social distancing.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 23, 2020 (ZIZ News): Diabetes and COVID19 will be the topic of discussion when the St. Kitts Diabetes Association resumes its quarterly meeting on July 26th at 3pm.
Public Relations Officer for the St. Kitts Diabetes Association Dr. Reginald O’Loughlin told ZIZ news the topic comes at a time when the focus has moved away from some of the existing conditions like diabetes and have been geared toward preparing for covid19.
He said persons must recognise that diabetes still exists and will continue to exist in the aftermath of COVID19.
“I think some people have dropped the ball in relation to diabetes because the focus is so much on coronavirus. Some people have forgotten the importance of doing your regular exercise, and basically complying with the recommendations of the St. Kitts Diabetes Association abbreviated T.E.E.M—regular testing, exercise, eating right and medication in a disciplined fashion. So we need to underline that particular phenomenon to remember those things and once you’re a diabetic you are at somewhat higher risk, based upon the data available, you are at higher risk for having more deleterious consequences from the coronavirus situation.”
He said the meeting will take the form of a panel discussion.
He said the hosting of the meeting will be consistent with stipulated regulations for Covid19.
Transportation for the meeting of the St. Kitts Diabetes Association will be provided by GT109 starting in Old Road at 2pm via Sandy Point and St. Pauls then via Cayon into Basseterre, stopping at each health center across the island.
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