The Ministry of Health in Barbados has welcomed the launch of a Type 1 Diabetes Registry – the first of its kind in the Caribbean, which will enhance national surveillance of the disease, and inform evidence-based policy and programme development.
Acting Senior Medical Officer with responsibility for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Dr. Ingrid Cumberbatch says while Type 1 Diabetes affected roughly one per cent of the population, there were no exact statistics pertaining to those affected.
“It is expected that this gap can be bridged by the implementation of the Ian Woosnam Type 1 Diabetes Registry for Barbados,” she said, adding that the registry would be a vital tool to empower, educate and support patients, as well as to improve standards of practice and care.
Cumberbatch was speaking at the launch of the registry at the Barbados Diabetes Foundation, last week.
An initiative of the Foundation, the registry was established through sponsorship by professional golfer and long-time visitor to Barbados Ian Woosnam, who has two daughters with Type 1 Diabetes.
The Senior Medical Officer said its implementation is another important step in the fight against diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes, previously known as insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood onset diabetes, is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily administration of insulin.
Its cause is unknown and it is not preventable.
