Over 3 700 consultations have been so far registered at Sancti Spiritus-based diabetes care center since it was first opened one year ago.

According to the health institution’s director Dr. Leidi Francisco Gonzalez, the facility’s main purpose is to educate and control the metabolism of the sick persons while avoiding this disease’s entailed chronic complications.

 As for the social impact it is important to state that the center has bettered up the patients’ life quality since this illness is regarded as first cause to disabilities like blindness, chronic renal failure and non traumatic amputations, added the doctor.

Interactions with children and adolescent patients, which were previously possible only in Havana, can now be carried out in this facility where fifty children with diabetes type 1 are currently being looked after.

 Sancti Spiritus-based diabetes care center allows 18 ambulatory admissions each week. Patients are assisted by a basic professional team that comprises an endocrinologist, a nutritionist, a geriatrician, a pediatrician, a psychologist and a foot doctor.

 

This health team is supported by cardiology, gastroenterology, angiology and ophthalmology specialists.

 This institution is also regarded as a teaching clinic for those responsible for diabetic patients' consultations in the different health areas.

Some 27 000 people suffered from diabetes mellitus in Sancti Spiritus, where reports show an increasing tendency at the moment.

 According to World Health Organization (WHO)’s sources, 239 million people will be reported diabetic by the end of this year.

 

Likewise, the organization foretells an accelerated progression of the disease only compared with AIDS levels reported in sub-Saharan countries.  That’s why experts on the subject recommend an early handling of the illness in order to control the risk factors.