Message from Dr. Rai Ragbir on World Diabetes Day 2020

Member of Parliament for Cumuto/Manzanilla Dr.Rai Ragbir says he remains concerned that nurses could face the real possibility of suffering from exhaustion, both physical as well as mental, in the execution of their duties, given the demands brought on by the Covid-19 Pandemic”.

This from Dr. Ragbir as this country will join the international community in observing WORLD DIABETES DAY, which takes place on Saturday November 14th, 2020, and which has as its theme, “The Nurse and Diabetes.” (Nurses make the difference).

Dr. Ragbir says he remains acutely aware of the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes, and called on Government to spare no effort in ensuring that they are suitably equipped and compensated to perform their duties on a daily basis.

The Cumuto/Manzanilla MP, a medical doctor by profession says, “The Covid-19 Pandemic has brought about tremendous challenges to nurses in the execution of their jobs; I have seen and witness first-hand the many obstacles and set-backs they encounter in reaching out to their patients, particularly relating to health and safety issues, but they continue to persevere with utmost confidence, competence and resilience, and most of all commitment to the patients whom they serve”.

He said the demands placed on the shoulders of nurses at this time is strenuous as the health care system is now operating a parallel arrangement, in which nurses are caring for regular patients while at the same time tending to suspected cases of Corona Virus.

Dr. Ragbir said, according to the United Nations, “Nurses currently account for over half of the global health workforce. They do outstanding work to support people living with a wide range of health concerns. People who either live with diabetes or are at risk of developing the condition need their support too.”

Dr. Ragbir is calling on Government to mark this day with an aggressive and sustained national education strategy, so that citizens are made aware of the repercussions associated with diabetes, as a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.

He called on the population to be vigilant and exercise restraint in the consumption of sweets, as it might be a matter of sheer coincidence that the celebration of Divali is happening on the very day that have been designated as World Diabetes Day. It is widely known that the celebration of Divali involves the preparation and consumption of a wide variety of sweets.

The Cumuto/Manzanilla MP said, “As we celebrate our nurses on World Diabetes Day, it is worth recalling that it was the under the judicious leadership of the Honorable Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, that the Academy of Nursing was officially launched in 2015, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, whose mandate it was to provide specialist training for nursing personnel, administrators and educators in keeping with international best practice”.

He was also high in praise for the work being done by the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago in advocating for healthy lifestyles, and for its continuous education to the population on ways of combatting diabetes.

He warned, “Government cannot sit idly by and allow the country’s human resources to whittle away by the devastating impact of diabetes; now is the time to implement a national action plan to reduce overweight and obesity, two leading causes of diabetes”.

Dr. Ragbir insisted that Government use this day to begin the implementation of a comprehensive national diabetes registry, as education and knowledge is key to combatting this deadly human condition.