Holding an event in Parliament to offer elected members and their staff a test for diabetes is not a new idea, but it is still highly effective at getting a message across to politicians.
This year’s event in Australia was called: “Take Five to do Five Health Checks” and was held at Parliament House in Canberra.
Around 30 Parliamentarians, Senators and MPs, accepted the invite to have their HbA1c (diabetes), heart health, kidney function, blood pressure and cholesterol checked. The event was held to raise awareness among the nation’s decision makers about diabetes-related complications and the importance of regular health checks for people living with diabetes.
To grab their attention further a small number of people with diabetes were invited to present their stories about living with the condition. Among them was Maire O’Callaghan, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 30 years ago.
She spoke about how she manages her condition and its complications that she has developed. She also spoke about the costs of medications.
Advocacy Action: Are you in touch with your national diabetes association to see if they could help you run a similar event in your Parliament?
TAGS: Australia, Australasia, Diabetes Awareness, Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Bermuda Diabetes Association
Associate PDGN member. the Bermuda Diabetes Association, received an unexpected gift from a previous Board Member which enabled the renovation of their HQ. This has improved the space for the delivery of both clinical and administrative services creating room for the addition of a new pharmacist and a new dietitian.
Handheld Screening
Professor Owens and a team from Cardiff University were in Bermuda in March conducting a diabetes retinal screening, using a handheld camera, for people with diabetes. 171 patients were screened as well as their anthropometric measurements taken. Many of the participants had never had their eyes screened before.
This programme is setting the stage for future annual screenings and awareness programmes to highlight the need for patients with diabetes to have their eyes examined on an annual basis and the need for good blood glucose control.
Advocacy Action: Good eye health is vital, and people with diabetes suffer more than most from complications that if found early can be overcome or assisted. Do you have a sceening programme in your country? Could you campaign for one?