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HOME	OCTOBER 08 th, 2005

Grenada will host the Semi Annual Conference of the International Diabetic Federation of North America and the Caribbean (IDFNAC).

The three day event will come off from October 14-16 at the Rex Grenadian Resort in the south of the island under the theme “ Control Diabetes Today, Avoid Complications Tomorrow”.

The conference is expected to bring together about forty persons representing the various Diabetic Associations in the hemisphere. Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Grenada Diabetic Association (GDA) Francis Balwant told GRENADA TODAY that activities of IDFNAC is one of the agenda items.

He disclosed that the discussion will focus on the setting up of an Emergency Diabetic Plan (EDP) that will assist persons with the disease in getting their insulin in the aftermath of a disaster. Balwant stated that the conference is also scheduled to look at the report of the March 2005 Council Meeting which was held in Jamaica.

GDA has planned an exhibition and educational forum for October 14 at the Grenada Trade Center to coincide with the opening of the conference. According to Balwant, during this event, companies involved in the sale of health care products as well as organisations promoting healthy life styles are down to partake in the exhibition.

Huggins, the local agent for Johnson & Johnson Life Scan Products, the machine used for testing for diabetes is the gold sponsor of the event. Other sponsors are Gittens, Bryden, Glenelg Spring Water as well as Native Food. There will also be food display from the Grenada Food and Nutrition Council (GFNC) and the Grenada Seventh Day Adventist Professional Organisation.

Balwant said the public can view the exhibits and have their sugar tested as well as receive information on the disease and how it can be prevented. He announced that on October 14 there will also be a session for Doctors who treat and manage the disease at a forum dubbed “Doctors Update” scheduled for the Tropicana Conference Room.

Balwant stated that the latest information on the disease will be made available to medical practitioners at this event. Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism in the way the body uses digested food for growth and energy. Most of the foods that are consumed are broken down into glucose, a form of sugar in the blood and the main source of fuel for the body.

There are two major types of diabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes also called juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes is when the body completely stops producing any insulin.

Persons with diabetes should avoid smoking, as well as keep their blood glucose levels, cholesterol and other blood fats in target range. Diabetic persons are also expected to watch their weight as well as their blood pressure and must take their medication on time as prescribed.