“The effort to fight diabetes in the South Pacific by Humanitarian Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is increasing in momentum. Humanitarian Services is in the midst of its second year of what is estimated to be more than 10-year focus,” said Hans Sorensen.
Sorensen, Area Welfare Manger for the Church in the Pacific who directs Humanitarian Services, is passionate about the cause.
“Diabetes, as a non-communicable disease - which includes cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases - is a leading cause of premature deaths among Pacific islanders.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) marked World Health Day yesterday by publishing its first global report on diabetes which estimates some 3.7 million people are dying from the disease each year, reported Pacific Beat.
“The good news is that recent studies indicate that type II diabetes can be more than just prevented and managed, it can be reversed,” said Sorensen.
“The “antidotes” to diabetes are well known: Eat better, exercise more, manage stress. The measure of success is weight loss.”
Although the solution is simple, he understands doing them is not easy.
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“The goal for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to help governments and healthcare professionals help individuals help themselves – help them make the difficult lifestyle changes necessary,” said Sorensen.
To maximize the possibility for success, Humanitarian Services offers its support, in the form of educational and medical resources, to diabetes initiatives developed by the ministries of health in each country, rather than going it alone.
“It’s like the Samoan proverb: ‘"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’
“We educate our own Church members in our congregations and in our schools. We offer these programs to governments to use in their efforts. This may include curriculum for their use, or we may provide volunteers to help teach. We also provide advanced education for doctors and other healthcare professionals.
“For example, we have a team of three leading podiatrists coming to the Marshall Islands in May.
“They will train the top healthcare professionals on proper wound care and other alternatives to amputations, which are a common procedures in the late stages of diabetes. Once trained they will travel to the outer islands to train others,” he said.
Clinics and hospitals in the Marshalls will also receive equipment and instruments needed to treat health complications caused by the disease.
The Church also provides training, supplies, instruments and medical equipment for screening clinics. “Early identification is essential," said Sorensen.
The Church’s Humanitarian Services has 14 welfare service missionaries across the pacific, working with governments, church leaders and non-profit health organizations to fight the diabetes fight.
Read Pacific Community: health alert with most islanders either diabetic or pre-diabetic
Read Fiji Times Online: Media gadgets for awareness programs