Improving the lives of all people affected

CONGRATULATIONS TO the University Diabetes Outreach Programme (UDOP) on 25 years of exceptional service to Jamaica and the Caribbean region in the areas of public education, training, and providing an effective platform for students, researchers and healthcare providers to share about the challenges posed by diabetes and the opportunities to effectively manage related complications. The work of the organisation continues to save and enhance the quality of life for persons living with diabetes, a leading cause of death in Jamaica and the region.

UDOP’s work to facilitate the sharing of best practices and groundbreaking research in a forum that sees all stakeholders represented, from the average person living with diabetes to global experts, is a heroic effort at such a time as this. At present, the region and, indeed, the world continues to see an upward trend in prevalence, and national budgets continue to feel the significant pressures associated with treatment and management.

With over eight to 10 per cent of Caribbean citizens living with the disease and over 300 children on register in Jamaica with type 1 diabetes, the work of UDOP is more critical than ever. It is my hope that the over 500 participants attending this year’s staging will build exponentially on the existing knowledge and work as we all play our part on the mission to prevent, cure and increase public awareness about diabetes while improving the lives of all people affected.