Diabetes is gaining pandemic proportions, while the forecasts for the future are ominous. The Minister of Health, Stavros Malas, speaking at a press conference on the occasion of today 's World Diabetes Day, gave data on the disease in Cyprus… He said that around 12% suffer from type 2 diabetes and that children in Cyprus are the most obese in Europe.He stated that "the healthy lifestyle, the frequent measurement of sugar as well as the correct regulation of people with diabetes give the green light to life while in Cyprus the expenses for medicines for people with diabetes are constantly increasing and the amount of expenses in 2010 amounted to around € 3,9 million, ie there is an average annual growth of 16% over the last 10 years ".
The Minister of Health said that "according to the World Health Organization, more than 346 million people are currently suffering from the disease and if effective measures are not taken, this number will double by 2030 while at the same time, it is among the ten most common causes of disability."
The Ministry of Health, said Mr. Malas, "has set as its goals both the prevention and the provision of optimal medical care for people with diabetes and soon we will be able to present our own strategy, based on European standards." .
He said: "Recently it has been observed that type II diabetes, which until now was considered adult diabetes, has increased rapidly and at the same time occurs even in children and for the occurrence of this type of diabetes have been blamed obesity, unhealthy lifestyle and lack of exercise. "
He added that "significant research has shown that a healthy diet, regular exercise and the fight against obesity delay or even eliminate the onset of the disease in high-risk individuals, while these factors also play an important role in the good management of diabetes."
Mr. Malas said that "another important conclusion of these studies is that the early diagnosis and detection of high blood sugar with the aim of timely interventions greatly reduces the morbidity of cardiovascular diseases."
The Ministry of Health, said Mr. Malas, "recognizing the importance of prevention, monitors through the curriculum programs the weight of our children and promotes the Mediterranean diet and exercise."
He also continued, "the Ministry of Health treats the issue of diabetes with great seriousness and with the continuous training of Doctors, Nurses and Dietitians and with the daily operation of Diabetes Clinics (from this year and in the Limassol hospital), we aim at the correct information and regulation of patients" .
Specifically, said the Minister of Health, "15 medical officers and more nurses have been trained in University Clinics abroad on how to manage people with diabetes, based on the most modern protocols."
He added that "these officers staff the Diabetes Clinics while from this year, a holistic approach is followed with the involvement of many specialties that will monitor the patient to avoid complications."
The Minister of Health said that "a standard Diabetes Center operates at Larnaca Hospital on the basis of a European Protocol that has been embraced by patients and has begun to be extended to other provinces."
He stated that "the participation of the Ministry of Health in the European Registration Program EUROBIROD, which was also piloted in Larnaca, has already expanded almost nationwide, while the inclusion of Diabetes Clinics in primary medical care will give patients the opportunity to rural and urban health they are more easily served and have direct access to our Services ", said Mr. Malas.
The Minister of Health also said that "the most modern solutions of pharmacotherapy as well as all outpatient examinations are offered free of charge to people with diabetes, all types of insulin are provided, as well as the most modern ways of their administration while in type II diabetes they are offered, except from the classic antidiabetic tablets, glyptins, drugs with high efficacy that contribute to the good regulation of patients ".
Concluding, the Minister of Health gave the message that "diabetes does not discriminate, it knocks on the door for the rich and the poor, the young and the old, women and men." Source: LIBERAL