Diabetes is fast becoming an epidemic in T&T, and there are concerns in particular about the increasing number of children with diabetes.

These concerns were expressed today by Dr. Lackram Bodoe, MP for Fyzabad and a former head of the SWRHA, who says there are close to 150,000 diabetics in T&T.

He says while some are genetically predisposed to diabetes, it is mostly a lifestyle disease triggered by eating too much carbohydrates and sugary foods.

He adds that diabetes, together with heart and kidney disease, is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the local population.

Dr Bodoe says, “As a nation, we need to make a greater effort to prevent diabetes by adopting a more healthy lifestyle. We need to exercise more, eat less fast foods, and limit our intake of soft drinks and other sugary foods and beverages. School children need to be educated on what steps can be taken to avoid obesity and diabetes. Pregnant women and women contemplating pregnancy also need to take the necessary steps to achieve good pregnancy help. Gestational diabetes carries great risk to both mother and baby.”

With regards to treating diabetes, he says more opportunities must be created in the state health sector for screening and timely treatment.

He also called for health centers to be adequately resourced with both medical staff and testing capacity to detect cases early and initiate appropriate treatment, and for more effective anti-diabetic drugs to be made available in the public sector and via CDAP.

Dr Bodoe’s message comes on the occasion of World Diabetes Day today.

This year’s theme is “Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps” which seeks to emphasize the importance of ensuring that all people who are diagnosed with diabetes have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care.