According to Belhaim Sakuma, Chairperson of Ulkerreuil A Klengar (UAK), a community health support group who will be organizing the Health Fair, they decided to move the observance of the Diabetes Awareness day in Palau to the 15th, instead of 14th as declared by President Johnson Toribiong in Presidential Proclamation No. 10-30, because it’s difficult to get people out and participate on a Sunday.
UAK has invited all schools from the Head Start to all elementary, high school and college, from Kayangel all the way to Angaur to participate in the Fair.
“The main thing is for the students to be aware of diabetes as the major problem among islanders,” Sakuma said in an interview. “We want to tell the people that at least once a year, we should look at health as a nation and see the main health problems that we have, such as obesity, diabetes and cancer.”
At present, there are over 8,000 people in Palau who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. According to MOH, obesity, lack of physical activity, the use of tobacco products, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and poor eating habits lead to diabetes mellitus and other non-communicable diseases.
Toribiong urges everyone in the community to be involved in the campaign to recognize obesity as a growing threat to the future of our nation and our children.
“We as a community must unite, as one voice, and take a stand in the fight against obesity,” Toribiong said in his proclamation letter. “I urge everyone to take part in observance and activities designed to advance the cause of awareness, prevention and control of diabetes mellitus, obesity and other non-communicable diseases.”
Sakuma said he wrote letters to all the governors and ministers to join them that day, as well as to the President to give the opening remarks. The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Justice are also invited to have their staff visit the fair that day since their offices are just nearby
The all-day Healthy Lifestyle Fair will have booths for Body Mass Index (BMI) checking as well as diabetes and blood testing.
People involved in promoting health in the country will also be there, especially OMUB, public health, anti-tobacco and -alcohol organizations. There will also be a live radio program for those who can’t physically join the event.
Lectures and talks on health issues will be held, and written information and printed materials on the prevention and care of non-communicable diseases, especially on diabetes, will be available.
“We are expecting a huge participation from the crowd,” Sakuma shared.
The World Diabetes Day was initiated by the United States International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization as an education and prevention initiative concerning the rising worldwide number of people with diabetes.
It is celebrated on November 14 to mark the birthday of Frederick Bantin who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.
