Club sponsors island-wide diabetes screeing

| 25/03/2011

(CNS): Rotary Central has partnered with the Cayman Islands Diabetes Association (CIDA) and the Health Services Authority (HSA) to carry out a major diabetes screening event on Saturday to test the nation. Healthcare workers will be posted at major supermarkets to offer the free tests and the community is urged to take up the opportunity to be screened. Rotary Central member, Zelta Gayle, who chairs the club’s organizing committee and is a registered nurse, explained that the tests takes only 5 seconds and that a special ‘pen’ will be used to get the blood sample to accommodate those who are uncomfortable with needles.

This is the first diabetes screening event to cover Grand Cayman but the club said it hopes to repeat the exercise for years to come.

“This event is free and is open to children, adults, diabetics and seemingly healthy individuals. We hope that many within the community take this opportunity to have this important health check”, said Rotary Central President, Wil Pineau.

The free diabetes screening will be carried out at all major supermarket locations between 10am-2pm on Saturday, March 26th, 2011 due to the kind cooperation of all of the following locations: Cost U Less, Foster’s Airport, Foster’s Strand, Foster’s Countryside, Foster’s Republix, Hurley’s Supermarket and Kirk’s Supermarket.

There will also be a 10% discount on selected diabetic related items on the day of screening at pharmacies of the participating locations. At the event, a quick and simple registration will provide each person with an opportunity to win glucometers (blood sugar machine) and other diabetic related items for oneself or for a loved one who has diabetes.

The screening event will also have doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists and members of CIDA present who will be available to answer questions regarding diabetes at various locations.

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  1. Concerned Caymanian says:

    I understand this was a major event, with more than 700 people taking advantage of the free screening program. If it becomes an annual event, I’m sure a lot more people will be screened and diabetes will be detected early.  Well done Rotary Central and all involved! 

    • Zelta Gayle says:

      On behalf of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Central and everyone who were involved, I humbly accept your compliment and optimistic comment. The island-wide diabetes screening will be held annually.

      With the kind corporation of Radio Cayman, Rotary Central also hosts a monthly 1hr diabetes call in programme on Radio Cayman’s talk show, “Talk Today”. We also invite physicians of various specialties to be on these programmes to offer advice and answer questions. Listeners are encouraged to voice their questions/inquiries or even share suggestions/advice with fellow diabetic listeners. At times, the programme also includes free prizes of glucose monitoring machines and other diabetic related items.