The Ministry of Health is set to launch a new national programme, “Step Into Wellness,” to encourage citizens to take responsibility for their health as the fight against non-communicable diseases intensifies.
This is according to line minister, Dr. Lackram Bodoe, while speaking at the TATIL Run, Diabetes Association of T&T 5K on Saturday.
The Minister urged the public to take diabetes prevention seriously, as thousands gathered for the wellness walk…
“You know, ladies and gentlemen, diabetes is a big, big issue in Trinidad and Tobago. It is a killer. Diabetes is responsible for about 1500 deaths every year out of the 12,000 people that die annually in Trinidad and Tobago. But that is not a big problem. The big problem, of course, is the complications that diabetes causes in terms of kidney disease, heart disease, and something that we would have seen recently in terms of leg amputations.”
He also pointed to obesity as a growing national concern, especially as the World Health Organization moves to classify it as a disease.
“So obesity, we know, is a causal factor in all of these things, in the NCDs, but now obesity is going to be called a disease and classified as a disease by itself. That’s not a good thing, especially when it affects so many of our children. So I know you are here for an evening of fun. I know you’re here for the relaxation, for the support. But of course, it’s important to understand why you are here and what cause you’re supporting. Some 150,000 people in Trinidad are affected by diabetes. I don’t believe those numbers. I think it’s higher than that.”