-
.
- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I am with you to welcome the press conference held in the framework of the celebration of World Diabetes Day.
Today's day is dedicated to Diabetes, reminding the importance that must be given both on the part of society and the state to this major public health issue.
Through the message "Understand Diabetes, Learn the Warning Signs, Reduce the Risk", everyone's effort is to take the signs seriously to protect the people around us and ourselves. Diabetes is not just about patients and the health care system, it is about the whole of society and the responsibility to address it must be a collective one.
For this reason, the Ministry of Health, taking into account the increasing trend of diabetes cases and the new data in the health sector, promotes the updating of the National Strategy through the National Diabetes Committee. By recognizing the problem and promoting solutions related to prevention, early diagnosis, proper management and easy access to medicines, we can achieve a lot mainly through collective action since citizens themselves can play a role in this. For example, the risk and burden of type two (2) diabetes can be reduced by healthier choices such as healthy eating, physical activity and avoiding smoking.
Through this policy document, the strategic objectives of prevention, early diagnosis and treatment, care, case recording and research will be set and will determine the next essential steps of the Ministry of Health. As a reminder, the EU is investing in research with over €216 million from the Horizon Europe programme to support nearly 120 diabetes-related projects. At the same time, the Ministry of Health aims to continuously improve the diabetology clinics in the hospitals of the OCYPY as well as to encourage the creation of such holistic centres in the private sector.
At the same time, special emphasis is placed on the education pillar, encouraging the continuous training of doctors, nurses and dieticians so that they are able to offer patients modern methods of treatment.
With the implementation of the GHS, services for people with diabetes have been upgraded. The daily operation of the Diabetes Clinics in the public hospitals of the OCYPY, whom I would like to thank in particular, is aimed at the proper information and regulation of patients.
Among the important actions that have been implemented is the operation of the specialized Pediatric Diabetes Clinic at the Makarios Hospital, in which continuous glucose monitoring devices are installed, contributing decisively to the evaluation of each child and the implementation of individualized treatment. I congratulate the medical and paramedical staff in this clinic and bow to the supportive work of parents who have young children with diabetes and try in every way to manage their child's problem. Let us offer our appreciation with a round of applause.
I would also like to welcome the decision by the OAI to remove the age restriction on the provision of contactless sensors. Also, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health, it is promoting bids for new technology pumps and the inclusion of people with diabetes in the Patient Registry.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Diabetes in our time is now a rapidly growing disease and has become a global epidemic and a major Public Health issue. Figures from the International Diabetes Federation report that worldwide, one in 10 adults are living with diabetes. In Cyprus, 12.7% of our population has been diagnosed with diabetes.
In addition, there is a growing list of countries where one in five or more of the adult population is living with diabetes. Since 2000, diabetes has more than doubled, rising from 4.6% of the global population to 10.5% today. Without adequate action to address the condition, it is projected to rise to 11.3% by 2030. Therefore, raising public awareness on the adoption of healthy diet, physical exercise and general behaviours that enhance the prevention of diabetes mellitus is considered necessary and essential.
The Nicos Christodoulides government attaches particular importance to the health sector and especially to actions related to awareness and prevention.
The aim of today's conference is to raise awareness of diabetes among the state and society.
The aim of today's conference is to raise awareness of diabetes among the state and society. Each of us has a very important role to play. With coordination and collective action, much can be achieved.
The need for targeted and accurate information is indispensable. For this reason, the National Diabetes Committee, through the Information Campaign, these days, is showing in all media, radio, TV, Social Media, an informative spot on the main symptoms of diabetes in order to awaken the population. At the same time, members of the National Diabetes Committee will be hosted in radio and television broadcasts to create an environment of empathy and support for these people and self-protection.
In addition, to support the campaign, ALFAMEGA Hypermarkets, as part of their corporate and social responsibility, are carrying out a support action through the Fruit Department, offering double points to customers who buy fruit and vegetables from 13 to 19 November. I convey our sincere thanks to Alphamega supermarkets.
In closing, I thank all those who contributed to the organization of this conference, you who have honored us with your presence and wish us success in all the actions planned by the National Diabetes Committee and reiterate the support of the Ministry of Health in every effort of both the National Diabetes Committee and the volunteer groups.
(DK)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
