Diabetes event raises awareness in ‘at risk’ communities
It is a statistic which ‘leaders have failed to address’ according to one doctor, as diabetes continues to prove to be a silent killer prevalent amongst South Asian communities every year.
In an event organised in Bradford last week, guest speakers and members of the public gathered to discuss the issues surrounding the condition and what can be done to tackle some shocking figures.
People in the demographic can be up to six times more likely to have diabetes than the general population with Pakistani women at even higher risk.
Amongst those speaking on the night was Dr Salman Shahid from Saudi Arabia, a specialist in health science diabetes.
As well as offering advice on the best ways to tackle the persistent issue, Dr Shahid emphasised the need to lead a ‘healthy life’ to combat the life-changing disease.
He said: “Fifteen years of our lives are lost due to diabetes. There are literary thousands of people walking around with type 2 diabetes that are not aware of the condition they are in.
“It is an illness that has quietly destroyed lives and leads to other conditions which become the main factors of death, in other words lead to major problems such as: cardio-vascular issues, amputations, blindness, and kidney failure.
“Healthy living therefore needs to be put in place to ensure good health for yourself and your children.”
Others in attendance on the night included local GPs and people who had suffered from diabetes themselves, directly or indirectly, throughout their lives.
Dr Husnat Hamdani has seen the effect of the disease in Bradford in his role as a GP.
He added: “For the past several years, despite numerous attempts, our local councillors and MPs have failed to address this very real issue.
“Diabetes is only increasing in the ‘Bradford 3’ area and the public needs to be informed. Things that can help control diabetes, include stopping smoking, regular exercise and a healthy diet.”
The event was organised by Basharat Ali and held at the St John’s Centre, Fagley.
