A joint initiative between the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DATT), has produced one hundred and twenty-five accredited diabetes educators uniquely equipped to tackle one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges.
The graduation ceremony at the Chaguanas Borough Council saw a broad range of health practitioners receive certificates after an intensive three-month Diabetes Educator Programme.
According to Former Vice President of the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Brian Cockburn, the joint initiative with the International Diabetes Federation will facilitate improved diagnosis and early intervention.
“This certification plays a key role in reducing undiagnosed diabetes by equipping healthcare professionals with enhanced skills to detect diabetes early and manage the condition effectively to mitigate complications. Healthcare workers learn to better identify undiagnosed cases during regular consultations. This is particularly impactful in regions with high undiagnosed diabetes rates.”
Noting that 15.8% of our adult population live with raised fasting blood glucose, Minister of Health, Dr Lackram Bodoe, said the Health Ministry has responded by extending hours at over twelve health centres.
“Now, the purpose of those extended hours is to give citizens and opportunity to go and get screened. You’re busy, you’re not going to take time off work between 8 and 4 to go and have your sugar checked or have your pressure checked. But, certainly, after work in the evening, let’s say there was a 4 to 8, or on a Saturday morning. It presents an opportunity, and I want to urge citizens to take advantage of the opportunity for screening.”
Focusing not only on prevention but education, the Health Minister added that the Ministry is providing targeted clinics to diabetes patients throughout the country.
“We are also advancing diabetes management within the primary healthcare system through the establishment of standardised diabetes wellness clinics across all the RHAs. These clinics serve as an intensive diabetes bootcamp, so to speak, where patients in the chronic disease clinics based in the health centres can access targeted multidisciplinary care to reduce their A1C levels.”
Minister Bodoe thanked the graduates for contributing to “a healthier Trinidad and Tobago,” and reminded that the fight against diabetes requires a multi-stakeholder approach and the continued development of “inter-professional care teams.”