Teamwork will be the key to tackling the challenge of Bermuda's diabetes problem.

That was the message from the director of the Bermuda Hospital Board Diabetes Centre Dr. Meng Hee Tan to Hamilton Lions.

Dr. Tan said in order for the Island to move forward and fight the disease, there had to be commitment from all the stakeholders.

That included health care providers, Government, health insurance companies, industry, non-Governmental organisations and the diabetes sufferers themselves.

"Diabetes is common and serious problem in Bermuda,'' he said. "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.

The doctor talked about the links between diabetes and obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and complications such as loss of eye sight, amputation and kidney failure.

He stressed 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 to get 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 commended 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.''