LOCAL COMMUNITIES TAKE PART IN GLOBAL CELEBRATION TO MARK WORLD DIABETES DAY 2019
25 October 2019
NHS Coventry and Rugby Integrated Care Board (ICB), Coventry Mercia Lions Club supported by BOPA (British Organisation for People of Asian Origin) have organised a Diabetes Awareness Event for the local community. The event will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2019 to mark this year’s World Diabetes Day, Remembrance Day and Holy Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th birth anniversary.
This year’s Diabetes Day is themed as ‘Protect Your Family’ which is ideal for this type of community event. NHS services will be on hand from 11am until 3pm at the GNP Gurdwara (Harnall Lane, Coventry, CV1 4FB) to offer support and advice about how to access local support services in the area.
Dr Sarah Raistrick, GP and Clinical Chair at NHS Coventry and Rugby ICB, said: “The event is open to anyone who wants to come along and have a chat with a healthcare professional about Type 2 diabetes, who is at risk, what sort of signs and symptoms to look out for and the complications associated with diabetes, which include; stroke, blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, and amputations.”
Diabetes is a serious long term health condition and many people in Coventry especially those from South Asian communities are at risk because of the diet and lifestyle that people lead. The event is open to anyone and families can take the opportunity to get some advice about what they can do to support each other to be more aware about diabetes.
Professor Vinod Patel, Hon Consultant in Endocrinology and Diabetes, Acute Medicine, Medical Obstetrics Diabetes and Endocrinology Centre, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, said: “This type of event is a great opportunity to learn more about diabetes and people will have a chance to speak to experts to get more information. To help you in making some lifestyle changes as a family, you can take a look at our diabetes videos that we have produced locally in Coventry and Warwickshire.”
As well as NHS healthcare practitioners and services being there, Dr Bhasha Mukherjee, a British Asian who now wears the crown of Miss England 2019 will be attending the event.
Davinder Prasad JP, General Secretary, BOPA and Vice President of Coventry Mercia Lions Club, said: “Dr Mukherjee has chosen her theme as "Tackling diabetes, involving youth" and this will be promoted and supported by her during her tenure as Miss England, 2019-20.
“She has very kindly agreed to join us on Sunday, November 10, and will speak to the young members of the community. The event will also be supported by Lord Lieutenancy, Mayor of the West Midlands and the West Midlands Combined Authority, Mr Andy Street.”