2,045 people tested for blood glucose

Around 2,045 people were recently tested for blood glucose in just four hours during a nationwide blood glucose monitoring initiative by the Maltese Diabetes Association.

The tests were carried out in several locations, including shopping centres, local councils and health centres.

Anna Zammit McKeon, president of the association said: “We are very pleased with the high turnout.”

In a span of four hours, 2,045 people had their sugar levels tested. This means that a group of highly dedicated volunteers tested around eight people per minute.

Fifty-four people, representing just under three per cent of the total number of people who participated in this initiative, were recommended to visit a doctor for further investigations since their random blood sugar readings exceeded 8mmol/l.

There were also a considerable number of people aged 50 upwards who are already being treated for Type 2 Diabetes who had high random readings over 8mmol/l. This confirms the need to increase awareness on diabetes not only to those who are still unaware they may be living with diabetes but also to those who are already taking medication but still do not have their diabetes under control, said Ms Zammit Mckeon.

The association thanked Johnson and Johnson Lifescan and their local agents ATG Ltd for partnering with the association in this initiative.

Ms Zammit McKeon said: “These companies acknowledged the importance of such awareness campaigns and have fully sponsored this event not only by providing blood glucose meters and strips but also by offering the human resources to assist us in this event.”

The association also thanked the Diabetes and Endocrine Centre at Mater Dei Hospital and the Health Ministry for allowing the association to hold this initiative in various health centres.

The Plaza Shopping Centre in Sliema, Main Street Complex in Paola and the Savoy Shopping Centre in Valletta and various councils also collaborated in and supported the event.

www.diabetesmalta.org