African-American doctors will discuss diabetes, Hepatitis C and other issues that affect African-Americans when they hold their annual scientific meeting at the Sonesta Beach Hotel starting today.

Region II of the National Medical Association (NMA) has held its annual meeting once before in Bermuda, in 2001. The association voted to return here for 2003.

Established in 1895, the NMA is the oldest and largest professional organisation representing African-American physicians in the US and the US Virgin Islands. It is divided into six geographic regions, with Region II including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The meeting, lasting from today until May 18, will include presentations on health disparities, diabetes, renal disease, hepatitis C, health literacy, depression, immunisation, library of medicine data base resource computer training, and more.

The programme is approved for 15.25 hours of continuing medical education. The NMA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.

It will involve presentations followed by question-and-answer sessions, an interactive workshop presentation on Friday afternoon, and luncheons with speakers on Friday and Saturday.