Every year, World Diabetes Day is recognized globally on November 14. This year’s theme, “Diabetes and Well-being”, underscores the importance of ensuring that individuals living with diabetes can lead healthy, fulfilling lives with equal opportunities for happiness and wellbeing.

Diabetes Mellitus or Diabetes is a chronic disease which is characterized by higher-than-normal levels of blood glucose or blood sugar. As the condition progresses damage to organs such as the heart, kidney, nerves, and blood vessels occurs. These complications affect the quality of life of persons living with Diabetes and can also lead to death.

An estimated 90% of people who have Diabetes are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, which is the most common type of Diabetes. The good news is that Type 2 Diabetes is preventable and can be controlled with a healthy lifestyle and adequate medical treatment.

Healthy lifestyle changes which include commitments to things such as keeping physically active, avoiding smoking and alcohol, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, losing weight, if overweight and taking care of your mental health, can all make a significant difference in the management of Diabetes.

This year, the Ministry of Health is pleased to provide an additional platform which can be used to help everyone prepare healthy meals. The new campaign, “My Plate, a Healthy Plate,” with the slogan, “Building a healthier St. Lucia, one plate at a time,” provides an opportunity for individuals to learn and use creative ways of preparing nutritious meals with locally grown produce. Look out for the engaging live cooking demonstrations on various television stations.

On this World Diabetes Day, we remind everyone that living with diabetes is not a barrier to leading a full life. With proper education, healthy lifestyle practices, regular monitoring, and appropriate medication, diabetes can be managed effectively. The Ministry of Health, Wellness & Elderly Affairs, through the various programmes, remains committed to improving access to healthcare services, education, and treatment for diabetes.

Diabetes screening is available, free of charge, at all Community Wellness Centres across the country. We continue to work towards promoting holistic care by ensuring that individuals living with diabetes have access to free medical consultations, specialist services, diabetic retinopathy eye screenings, self-management support, nutritional counseling, foot care, and mental health support.

Since individuals with diabetes spend a significant amount of time managing their condition at home, we encourage them to improve their knowledge and skills by enrolling in self-management courses offered at Community Wellness Centres.

In observance of World Diabetes Day, the Ministry of Health, Wellness & Elderly Affairs is committed to collaborating with a range of stakeholders to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of diabetes in Saint Lucia and will be participating in a number of activities. These activities will include walks, health talks and screening/ outreach across the island.

The Ministry of Health invites you to show support and raise awareness for diabetes by wearing blue every Friday in November and make sure to snap, post and tag us on our social media platform.

On this World Diabetes Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to promoting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of all Saint Lucians, particularly those living with diabetes.