Belize Urged to Act as Diabetes Claims Hundreds

Today marks World Diabetes Day and here in Belize, the message is urgent. With diabetes now the third leading cause of death in the country, claiming more than two hundred Belizean lives this year alone, health leaders say too many people continue to ignore the warning signs. This year’s global theme focuses on diabetes and well-being, especially in the workplace. Lynette Valerio, President of the Belize Diabetes Association, says fighting the disease is not just personal, but a shared national responsibility and the association calls on both citizens and businesses to step up. They say the time for awareness has passed. Now, it’s about action.

 

Lynette Valerio, President, Belize Diabetes Association

“Today, November fourteenth Belize Diabetes Association joins the world in recognizing World Diabetes Day. The theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day is diabetes and wellbeing with an emphasis on diabetes in the workplace. We recognize that the workplace has a lot to help people in managing their diabetes, and for persons living with other non-communicable disease as well. Because we spend a lot of time at our office, we are calling on the business community and the businesses to institute wellness programs at their office. There are times people have diabetes and because their managers or their supervisors are not aware of the condition and what the implications are. Sometimes they deprive their employees from doing their medical checkup or even taking time to take their medication. So we’re asking businesses to invest in workplace wellness.”