says Bermuda must use teamwork to fight diabetes. The new diabetic clinic plays a vital part in fighting diabetes through its superb professional caregiving team. They are major players in the diabetic battle and are constantly tackling the challenge of Bermuda's diabetes problem. Dr. Tan explained, "Diabetes is a common and serious problem in Bermuda. There is a need to change and people need to be part of the solution, if not Bermuda's diabetes problem will remain the same.'' One in nine adult Bermudians has diabetes and one in three of those do not know they have the disease. One in three women over 65 is a sufferer and one in five men seniors have it. Dr. Tan says there are links between diabetes and obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and complications such as loss of eye sight, amputation and kidney failure. He stresses the importance of awareness and of sufferers helping themselves via a better diet and healthier lifestyle. "Quality healthcare enables people with diabetes to take care of themselves so they don't give up,'' he said. "We are in an era of being able to prevent complications of diabetes, we are challenging patients to receive proper care to slow down progression of complications.'' "Self care is very important and that should include education about living with diabetes.'' Integrated training should include as broad a representation as possible and should embrace international developments in the field. Dr. Tan commends the work of the Bermuda Diabetes Association -- due to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year -- and said there was much work to be done. "I challenge them to teach people with diabetes about the seriousness of the disease and make them aware of the importance of seeking proper care. If they wish to have proper care, they should also take responsibility to make sure this care is on the agenda.'' Dr. Tan concluded with this important message to all diabetics and their families and the community at large: "People with diabetes can have serious and disabling complications in the eyes, kidneys, nerves, feet and heart. Recent research showed that good diabetes care which leads to lowering of high blood glucose, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol can prevent or slow down the progression of certain of these complications. PHOTO Dr. Meng Tan