The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases describes diabetes as a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.
This Non Communicable disease has been plaguing and claiming the lives of many across the world including here in St. Kitts and Nevis.
As such, Sunday 10th November to Sunday 17th November has been designated as diabetes awareness week here in the federation with Thursday 14th November being observed as World Diabetes day under the theme “Diabetes Protect your family”.
Speaking in an address to mark the observance Minister with responsibility for Health in the Federal Government the Hon. Wendy Phipps explained why it is significant to hold the observance.
Here in St. Kitts and Nevis there are some two thousand five hundred registered diabetics.
Due to the effects of diabetes on the Kidney, the federation has partnered with the Republic of China (Taiwan) on a Chronic Kidney Disease Project in health centers across the federation.
Minister Phipps further provided these statistics on individuals receiving treatment for the condition.