Get proactive about diabetes
GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL: Officers and volunteers attend a training session for the Peer Resolution pilot programme at the Scarborough Library Facility on November 14, which is available in four secondary schools on the island.
The number of Tobagonians being diagnosed with diabetes is increasing. That’s why the Rotary Club of Southwest Tobago is teaming up with sales and marketing company Oscar Francois to spread awareness about the lifestyle disease. They held a diabetes forum at the Scarborough Library Facility on November 24 to help spread awareness and encourage the public to make lifestyle changes. Maude Quamina, president of the Canaan/Bon Accord Diabetic Association, said a collective approach is needed to treat the disease. “It’s a pleasure to know it’s not just the person who is diabetic but the whole family (attending the forum)...so that when we have a diabetic in the house, we too would understand how to treat them.”
Diabetic educator Dr Nuamah Livingston says the disease is becoming more widespread, with 415 million people worldwide confirmed as having diabetes. “We believe that they didn’t suddenly become diabetic. They probably were diabetic already, we just had not identified them.” He is urging the public to get tested because of the serious health risks involved. ‘Tobago 1677’ tours at Scarborough library As the island celebrates Tobago Day 2016, the Scarborough Library Facility is conducting tours on the 1677 battle for Tobago between the Netherlands and France. The tours will give visitors highlights into what is considered one of the greatest battles in the Caribbean in the 17th century. There are two tours daily for visitors, at 10.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The tours started Monday and ends tomorrow. The Roxborough and Charlotteville branch libraries will also be focusing on Tobago’s history, with copies of Tobago’s slave registers on display, which contain the names of people who once worked on estates across the island. They will be open for public access.
