Diabetes is more than ‘just a little sugar’; UK-based advocate urges Jamaicans to take disease seriously

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Jamaica Observer

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Renowned United Kingdom-based diabetes advocate Tony Kelly told Jamaican insurance executives and their guests recently that diabetes is too often dismissed as merely “just a little sugar’, as he urged them to take the non-communicable disease (NCD) seriously.Speaking recently at the Mico University College at a forum, Kelly, who is here at the invitation of Jamaica Medical Foundation (JMF), said unmanaged diabetes can lead to severe complications and even death, as he highlighted the serious health consequences associated with uncontrolled diabetes, including cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations.He encouraged Jamaicans to pay close attention to what he described as the “Four Ts” — tiredness, frequent toilet visits, excessive thirst, and getting thinner — as warning signs that warrant immediate medical consultation and testing for diabetes.He stressed, too, that individuals with a family history of diabetes should be especially vigilant.The diabetes advocate said healthy living is key and underscored the importance of regular physical activity and urged his audience to take control of what they eat by preparing healthier meals at home, instead of consuming food at fast food outlets.At the same time, he strongly encouraged Jamaicans to get tested for the disease and take proactive steps toward managing their health.In the 90-minute presentation, Kelly told the audience of his own struggle in managing diabetes for more than two decades, which has not led to other diseases or amputation because he followed strict orders to eat properly, exercise and take his medication as prescribed by his doctor.Approximately 12.5 per cent of Jamaican adults, aged 20 to 79, or more than 235,000 people, are living with diabetes, as of 2024.This is a more than 40 per cent increase when compared to figures in 2017.