Free health screenings will be available this month as the Bermuda Hospitals Board recognises Diabetes and Chronic Lung Disease Awareness Month.

On several occasions over the next two weeks, the team at the newly renamed Diabetes Respiratory Endocrine and Metabolism (Dream) Centre will be providing screenings for lung function, blood sugar and blood pressure in the lobby of the acute care wing at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The first screening is scheduled to take place tomorrow between 4pm and 7pm, with further screenings scheduled next Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 12pm and 3pm.

Debbie Barboza, asthma educator for the Bermuda Hospitals Board, said: “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a serious lung disease which over time makes it harder to breathe.

“Anyone over 40 who smokes or has a history of smoking and who finds it difficult to breathe sometimes, or all the time, should come in and take the free lung function test during the screenings. If that is not possible they should contact me on 239-1652 or e-mail asthma.centre@bhb.bm.”

Endocrinologist Annabel Fountain said that while diabetes rates in Bermuda were extremely high, the condition and its symptoms were preventable.

“If sugar levels are high in the body for years, blindness, kidney failure and amputations are to be expected,” Dr Fountain said. “People with diabetes are also more likely to have heart disease or strokes. This is why we want to help people to control their sugar levels — these side effects of diabetes are avoidable.

“Good education has been shown to be as effective at lowering blood sugar levels as many diabetes medications and regular monitoring and appropriate interventions help individuals to avoid the complications of diabetes.”