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Bermuda could lead the world in diabetes care

.A world health campaigner urged Bermudians with diabetes to come out of the shadows and unite against a world epidemic that is barrelling out of control.

Dr. Martin Silink (pronounced Shilling), president elect of the International Diabetes Federation told The Royal Gazette yesterday that Bermuda could easily become a world showcase for diabetes treatment and prevention ? if it did all the right things.

Dr. Silink is a professor of Paediatric Endocrinology at the University of Sydney in Australia. He was on the Island to give the keynote address at the annual general meeting of the Bermuda Diabetes Association. He will also be speaking to various other groups such as the Rotary Club.

"As much as 20 percent of the population in Bermuda has diabetes," said Dr. Silink. "If you consider that each of those people has at least one or two family members who are indirectly touched by diabetes then it is effecting up to 60 to 70 percent of the Bermudian population. When one puts it in those terms the enormity of the problem becomes apparent."

He said that all types of diabetes ? type one and type two ? are increasing at such a rate around the world, that the situation is "untenable".

Type one diabetes, which people are usually born with, is increasing at a rate of three percent per year. Nobody knows why, although there are many theories. Type two diabetes, which is often brought on by lifestyle, is increasing at an even more rapid pace.

"The problem is going to outstrip our resources," said Dr. Silink. "Around the world diabetes is an epidemic. It is now effecting over 200 million people and it is increasing at the rate of six million per year. If this rate of increase continues we won't be able to graduate doctors and nurses fast enough to deal with it."

He said there are "three Es" needed when tackling the problem ? empowerment, energising and education.

"In terms of the education, it is about the prevention of diabetes, but also to look at ways of raising the awareness of diabetes in society," he said. "The solution would involve the whole society. It is the way we design our cities, the way we design our schools. The way we have reduced sports in school. The way we feed our kids. The way we allow advertising of useless foods, especially at times when children are watching the television. The solutions are societal."

Dr. Silink is campaigning worldwide to have the United Nations adopt a resolution acknowledging the scope of the problem of diabetes.

"It would highlight this epidemic," he said. "I think people vaguely understand that diabetes is a major problem, but this will actually highlight that this a problem equal to other epidemics such as HIV and AIDS. It is rising at such a rate that governments must do something about it.

"The UN resolution is to seek the support of at least 96 nations, because there are 191 voting nations and to bring about a whole government approach to diabetes. In an absolute jewel of an island like Bermuda, Bermuda could actually be an example. It could be a proving ground to the whole world that it is possible to change society.

"This is a highly sophisticated society and has a wonderful environment. It has all of the right attributes. If there is a societal response, Bermuda could actually instruct the world that this epidemic can be changed."

Dr. Silink will be talking at the Bermuda Diabetes Association's annual general meeting on Tuesday, April 25 at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI) at 7 p.m. Before the talk begins there will be blood testing, Bermuda Diabetes Association membership registration, free pedometers, free blood glucose meters with purchase of strips and refreshments.

On Friday, April 28 he will give a presentation about the United Nations Resolution on Diabetes at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess at 12 noon. An introduction will be given by Dr. Geoffrey Rothwell, Senior Sociology Lecturer at the Bermuda College. Tickets are $50.

For further information and luncheon reservations telephone the Bermuda Diabetes Association at 239-2027 or 236-3668. Email diabetescentrebermudahospitals.bm .