For the past 37 years, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Diabetes Association has been performing a very important task.
Located on the busy main street of Road Town, their office, equipped with one full-time and one part-time worker and under 60 members in the entire territory, have been shining the light on the disease, by educating the populace.
This year is no different.
This time around, parents will be targeted at the school’s Parent Teacher’s Association meeting with the Association in an effort to prepare healthier food and drinks for their children instead of buying unhealthy ones.
Today, the Association briefed the media on their plans for the month of activities to mark World Diabetes month, this month, which will be held under the banner: Eyes on diabetes.
On Wednesday 2nd the first activity began with a visit to the Carrot Bay Senior center, followed by service at the Road Town Seventh Day Adventist church on the 5th. On the 9th, there will be a visit to the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly and from the 14th to 18th schools visit. On the 14th which is World Diabetes day, the Association will be hosting Health screenings at the Administration Complex from 8 am and persons are also encouraged to wear blue.
On the 16th will be a visit to the Brewers Bay Senior Center followed by a roti sale at the Road Town Resource Center from 12 on the 17th.
Things move to Virgin Gorda, with a church service at the Catholic Church on the 20th, while on the 23rd the Sea Cows Senior Center will be visited. Persons will get a chance to get their blood pumping with the “Just Walk” at Queen Elizabeth 11 park from 5-6 pm. The community of East End/Long Look will have their own Health Fair from 7.30 am and also their Senior Citizen’s center will be visited.
The Association pledged to include the two other outer islands of Jost Van Dyke and Anegada next year and are also advocating for higher taxes and even a ban on unhealthy foods and drinks in an attempt to encourage healthier consumption which in turn will minimize the risk of diabetes in the territory.
Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar levels are too high.