Minister says diabetes diagnosis and treatment a priority

Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas on Wednesday assured that the ministry will continue to invest in policies for the prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of diabetes through the national diabetes committee.

“Diabetes is a rapidly growing disease that has grown into a global epidemic, and a major public health issue,” the minister said during a press conference held at the University of Cyprus to mark World Diabetes Day.

“Therefore, it is necessary to raise public awareness of adopting a healthy diet, exercise and behaviours that keep diabetes at bay.”

This is why this year, the national diabetes committee is taking a holistic approach to tackling the disease based on international standards and national data, he added.

The ministry, he added, strives towards the continuous improvement of diabetes clinics in public hospitals and encourages the creation of similar treatment centres in the private sector.

Hadjipantelas added that with the introduction of the national health scheme Gesy, the committee has been able to create new protocols to include antidiabetic drugs and diabetes specialists in the services provided.

“At the same time, great emphasis has been placed on education, encouraging the continuous training of doctors, nurses and dietitians so they are able to offer patients up to date treatments” and proper information, he said, remarking that diabetes clinics operating in public hospitals islandwide are staffed by specially trained health professionals qualified in treating the specific disease.

Of particular note is the creation of a specialised child diabetes ward at Makarios children’s hospital, equipped to monitor each child’s progress and provide personalised care, he said.

“Our continuous and intensive efforts are made with a focus on prevention and early diagnosis,” Hadjipantelas said.

“It is important for the public to seek out information which could be affecting their health. Targeted and accurate information is essential.”