World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14. It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness.
The diabetes epidemic continues to worsen- Chris J. Delicata
This special day dedicated to diabetes was set up in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organisation in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of UN resolution 61/225.
The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. This year is part of a five-year campaign that will address the growing need for diabetes education and prevention programmes.
World Diabetes Day is celebrated specifically on November 14 to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea that led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.
Several activities and initiatives are celebrated worldwide by the over 200 member associations of the International Diabetes Federation in more than 160 countries and territories, all member states of the United Nations, as well as by other associations and organisations, companies, health-care professionals and people living with diabetes and their families.
The World Diabetes Day logo is the blue circle, the global symbol for diabetes that was developed as part of the Unite For Diabetes awareness campaign. The logo was adopted in 2007 to mark the passage of the United Nations World Diabetes Day resolution.
The significance of the blue circle symbol is overwhelmingly positive. Across cultures, the circle symbolises life and health. The colour blue reflects the sky that unites all nations and is the colour of the United Nations flag. The blue circle signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes pandemic.
Diabetes Education And Prevention is the World Diabetes Day theme for the period 2009-2013. The campaign goals are to:
Encourage governments to implement and strengthen policies for the prevention and control of diabetes and its complications.
Disseminate tools to support national and local initiatives for the prevention and management of diabetes and its complications.
Illustrate the importance of evidence-based education in the prevention and management of diabetes and its complications.
Raise awareness of the warning signs of diabetes and promote action to encourage early diagnosis.
Raise awareness of and promote action to reduce the main modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
Raise awareness and promote action to prevent or delay the complications of diabetes.
Diabetes, often referred to as the “silent killer”, is a chronic condition and leading non communicable disease that cannot be underestimated or ignored. The diabetes epidemic continues to worsen.
Data from recent global studies demonstrate that the number of people with diabetes in 2011 has reached a staggering 366 million, claiming the lives of 4.6 million persons. The health-care spending on diabetes has also reached the exorbitant figure of $465 billion.
Malta is no exception and one person out of 10 has diabetes.
We need to act on diabetes. This year marked an important milestone as it saw the holding of the second UN summit in history to deal with a health-related issue. Following the positive outcome of this summit, the global diabetes community is expecting international political leaders to implement concrete actions and measurable targets to tackle non-communicable diseases as they did at the ground-breaking high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS in 2001.
The Maltese government is committed to fighting the diabetes epidemic. It should be commended for all its endeavours and efforts in its fight to tackle non-communicable diseases notably diabetes.
The Maltese health authorities, through the Ministry of Health, the Elderly and Community Care, last year issued a strategy for the prevention and control of non communicable diseases, which also includes diabetes.
Malta now has a strategic vision on how it intends to tackle non-communicable diseases. This is indeed very promising and essential.
Recently, there were reports in the media that announced the government’s intentions to review the reimbursement system of medicines and supplies.
This will affect very favourably persons living with diabetes and would, ultimately, improve their diabetes management and care. I am confident that these positive initiatives by the health authorities would lead to a national diabetes plan, a focused and tailor-made programme for the management and treatment of diabetes in Malta. Undoubtedly, the benefits of a structured plan will definitely reduce the personal, family and societal burden of diabetes.
The global message this year is to promote awareness on diabetes by manifesting the blue colour that symbolises unity for diabetes. We can all offer our contribution in a very modest but significant way: wearing the blue circle, wearing blue or by participating in initiatives to light a monument or iconic building in blue on the occasion of World Diabetes Day.
We can also play our part in encouraging family members or close friends who have a family history of diabetes or who are at a high risk of getting diabetes to take the first step and get tested. It’s never too late to get checked; the sooner the better. If one manages one’s diabetes well, keeps their sugar levels well under control and undergoes regular check-ups, then one could lead a normal life.
Let us all do our part in raising awareness on diabetes. We should collectively ensure that World Diabetes Day is not just another commemorative event but an occasion that would serve as a turning point in the lives of many who would realise that it’s time to act on diabetes. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
www.idf.org
The author is president of the International Diabetes Federation – European Region (IDF Europe).