If you have diabetes, you will probably know that food is a major cul within target range and prevent diabetes complications by knowing …
Univer sal Health Car e
No 1 March 2006
UHC HEALTH ALERT
FREE SCREENING FOR DIABETES
In May 2006, UHC Universal Health Care will test drive a component of the planned UHC system using persons seeking medical attention for the silent killer Diabetes Ms Emma Hippolyte, Chairperson of the Taskforce for the implementation of UHC says: The pilot will help us see the planned UHC system actually at work and help us identify potential stumbling blocks that are to be addressed before full implementation of the programme The Government of St Lucia has apThe Promise of the UHC is for all St Lucians to get proved the funding for the Pilot UHC full access to quality healthcare Pharmaceutical Project for the FREE screening and treatment of Diabetes Diabetics who are also hypertensive will be treated for both diseases The Pilot Project is expected to cost approximately EC31 million The overall purpose of the Pilot Project is to effectively treat persons with Diabetes thus improving their health This means that the national formulary will be brought on stream, national clinical protocols for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension will be implemented; and health personnel will be trained in
these protocols
STARTS
MAY 2006
Special points of interest:
There are some 20,000 persons with hypertension in St Lucia and 8,000 with diabetes Most persons do not know they have these killer diseases and usually seek treatment when it is already too late Information is available from all health centres and hospitals
FREE SCREENING AND TREATMENT
All St Lucians suffering from diabetes and hypertension will be treated Diabetes is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity and is the leading cause of death in St Lucia Hypertension is the fourth leading cause of death It is estimated that there are 8,000 persons with diabetes in Saint Lucia and 20,000 persons with hypertension
Visit the UHC website: wwwstluciauhcorg
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mr me ns you ia rage St Luc r o u al l Enc nd d fo s a Screene ber be S to IABETE D
PILOT PROJECT WILL REGISTER MAJORITY OF ST LUCIANS
REE F
The Pilot Project aims at successfully treating 70 of the population suffering with Diabetes At present, only 20 of the population with diabetes and hypertension receive the treatment they need
HYPERTENSION
When you suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension, the force of blood against your artery walls
is too strong High blood pressure can damage your arteries, heart, and kidneys, and lead to atherosclerosis and stroke Hypertension is called a silent killer because it does not have any symptoms unless it is severely advanced and, without your knowing it, causes major organ damage if not treated Several factors increase your risk for high blood pressure, some of which are lifestyle issues which you can control These include obesity and not being active or exercising, drinking alcohol three drinks a day or more, eating alot of salty or processed foods, and not getting enough calcium, magnesium, and potassium in your diet Risk factors you cant control include a family history of high blood pressure, your race being a person of African-descent increases your risk, and aging
UHC: BETTER HEALTH FOR ALL
DIABETES
If you have diabetes, you will probably know that food is a major culprit in altering your blood sugar level Your blood sugar is at its highest an hour or two after you eat You can keep your blood sugar within target range and prevent diabetes complications by knowing what makes your blood sugar rise and fall No matter what type of diabetes you have, by keeping a record of
each blood sugar measurement you take, can help you spot patterns and anticipate potential problems that arise during your daily routine Self-monitoring can help you learn how your blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day and how certain activities affect it, sometimes from hour to hour You may be able to plan ahead for changes that can affect your blood sugar and adjust your diabetes treatment accordingly
ALL STLUCIANS ARE ELIGIBLE
Source:stluciauhc.org
