The personnel, who included doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and dieticians from both primary and secondary health-care facilities, were trained earlier this month.

The training was initiated in light of a worrying trend where several diabetics who regularly seek treatment at health facilities within the region continue to be non-compliant with their treatment regimes, which leads to complications.

Data from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey II, 2007-2008, indicate that some 7.9 per cent of Jamaicans between the ages of 15 and 74 years old are diabetics on medication.

However, this figure is not inclusive of pre-diagnosed cases of diabetes as well as undisclosed cases of diabetes, which could push the figures to a high of 16 per cent of the population, according to a survey from the Pan American Health Organisation.

Furthermore, the complications due to lack of proper management of diabetes is at a significant cost to the country. Estimates reveal that the total cost of diabetes care to Jamaica exceeds US$300 million. Moreover, after the advent of the abolition of user fees, the Ministry of Health and Environment funds a significant proportion of that bill. Complications associated with diabetes include blindness, strokes, amputations, kidney disease, heart failure and circulatory problems.

Diabetic complications

At the Kingston Public Hospital for instance, some 14 per cent of admissions are diabetes related, while 60 per cent of the amputations done at this institution are due to diabetic complications.

To this end, the region has strategically positioned the 52 trained health-care educators to empower patients affected with diabetes to properly monitor and control their conditions through the self-management strategies imparted to them by the educators.

Andrea Hunt, a certified diabetic educator, based in the United States, who conducted the workshops, said the trainees were exposed to the basics of diabetes self-management education, which included the skills and the concepts that have to be introduced to the patient.

The training also covered the concept of assessment, in terms of being able to identify the issues diabetic patients face.

"What is their biggest problem? Is it that they are afraid to start insulin or is it that they don't think they have diabetes?" Ms Hunt asked. "Many of the patients are in denial so we have to find out by assessment, What are the patient's general health goals? Are there already any complications that have not been identified? A small wound on the patient's foot might not be recognised as resulting from poor diabetes control?"