SPEECH FOR HONOURABLE MINISTER ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD DIABETES DAY Mr. Karl Mario Nobin, PMSM, Commissioner of Police

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1 SPEECH FOR HONOURABLE MINISTER ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD DIABETES DAY 2015 Mr. Karl Mario Nobin, PMSM, Commissioner of Police Ms How Fok Cheung, Senior Chief Executive of my Ministry Dr. K. Pauvaday, Director-General, Health Services Dr. S. Gungadin, Chief Police Medical Officer Senior Officers of the Police Force and of my Ministry Distinguished guests Ladies and gentlemen, It gives me great pleasure to be here with you all on the occasion of the annual World Diabetes Day. World Diabetes Day has established itself as an internationally effective way of sounding the alarm about diabetes and raising awareness about the catastrophic consequences it can have on health generally and the quality of life in particular. This day is very important for those suffering

2 from diabetes and also for all Mauritians. It is no surprise that we have set diabetes as a top priority among its health challenges. I would like to remind you that the Police Force is one of the main stakeholders of my Ministry. They regularly participate in blood collection activities and are always actively involved in vector control activities during outbreaks of diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. On this special occasion, please accept our deep gratitude for all the blood donated by the Police Force. We all appreciate the contribution of the police force to make our living environment better and safer. My Ministry has readily accepted to carry out this screening exercise for some members of staff of the police force as well as for their family. Members of the police force are role models for the community and it is important that they choose a healthy lifestyle that can be adopted by members of the community. 2

3 As you may be aware World Diabetes Day is held on November 14 of each year. It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to the alarming burden of disease posed by diabetes around the world. The theme of World Diabetes Day, from 2014 to 2016 is healthy living and diabetes and this year, the focus is on starting each day with a healthy breakfast. Diabetes represents a major public threat worldwide and also in Mauritius. It constitutes a major brake on productivity and economic progress. Today, there are 382 million people living with diabetes in the world. The number of people with the disease is set to rise beyond 592 million in less than 25 years. Yet, with 175 million cases currently undiagnosed, a vast number of people with diabetes are progressing towards complications without being aware of their disease. A further 316 million with impaired glucose tolerance (a pre-diabetes condition) 3

4 are at high risk from the disease frightening number that is set to reach 600 million by The inexorable advance of diabetes all over the world seems unfortunately unstoppable. But we have a duty to do whatever we can and whatever it takes to stop its advance. It is distressing that Mauritius has such a high prevalence of diabetes and the trend is continuing to rise, as evidenced by successive NCD surveys carried out. In Mauritius, diabetes prevalence has increased by 60% from the period 1987 to 2009 but worldwide, according to the Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, USA, increase in the prevalence of diabetes has been more than 200% in the same period. This year, a new NCD survey has been conducted. Data are being analysed and a report on the situation regarding NCDs is expected early next year. 4

5 I would like to highlight that diabetes is responsible for many complications. Allow me to quote some figures for the year 2014:- (i) Three hundred and forty-four (344) lower leg amputations were carried out. Out of these 344, three hundred and twenty (320) were diabetes related. (ii) Six thousand three hundred and fourteen (6314) cataract surgeries were carried out. Three thousand and fifty-five (3055) of these were among diabetic patients. (iii) As at October 2015, one thousand two hundred and thirteen patients (1213) are undergoing dialysis and 50% of these are diabetic patients. Despite the grim picture painted by these figures, we have the knowledge and expertise today to create 5

6 conditions which can considerably reduce the onset of diabetes for the next generation. This can be achieved by increasing awareness on the importance of a healthy diet and regular physical activity for everyone, male or female, young and elderly. But we must particularly target the children and the young people about the absolute benefits of physical exercise and sports for the quality of life. It is imperative for low and middle-income countries to prepare themselves by taking adequate and effective measures to address this looming pandemic. It is essential that health professionals particularly the primary care practitioners provide advice and counseling about lifestyle, diets in order to get everyone to be aware of the disease. In the last two years, progress has been made toward driving political change for diabetes. 6

7 Socially and economically disadvantaged people in every country carry the greatest burden of diabetes and are often the most affected financially. There is an increasing and worrying trend towards younger people developing diabetes. It is therefore very important to deal with the social determinants of health, i.e. the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and become old. Obesity is a problem and must be tackled from a very early age as well. Ladies and gentlemen, I have a triple message: (i) To all Mauritians, take responsibility for your own health. It is in your interest to be and remain healthy, and enjoy a quality of life by adopting a lifestyle which prevents diabetes and other diseases. 7

8 (ii) For the healthcare professionals, it is your duty to improve awareness and knowledge about the impact diabetes can have on people and you must keep advising and counseling. (iii) For me in government, it is my earnest hope to be able to implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes to safeguard the health of our citizens living with or at risk of diabetes. Nearly every family in Mauritius is confronted directly with the suffering associated with diabetes. I am told that we, Mauritians have a genetic predisposition to develop this disease and with the improvement of the standard of living over the last decades, the average Mauritian is living longer but not healthier. An unhealthy lifestyle has taken hold with the consequence that there has been an increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet 8

9 and the harmful use of alcohol have contributed largely to this. Ensuring healthy eating habits in young children is key to ensuring the health of our future generations as almost 600 million of us may be living with Type 2 diabetes by While Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, a healthy lifestyle is an important part of effective management of this disease. A healthy lifestyle can prevent up to 58% of Type 2 diabetes; healthy eating, physical exercise and maintaining a stable weight can help reduce risks. For example, we can also swap a soft drink for a non-sugar drink. Let us avoid too much sugar, fat and salt. You will be surprised to learn that for every 100 ml of a soft drink, there is grams of sugar. That is excessive. 9

10 While we recognize that there is no miracle cure for diabetes, we are urging everyone to avail himself / herself of the free health screening facilities. It is far better to know than to keep hoping that nothing is wrong. Diabetes could affect your eyesight, feet, ears, heart and could reduce your lifespan by years. The saying that where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise does not apply to diabetes. Thank you. 10