Members of the Young Diabetes Association in Suva are working on a project to help people with diabetes.

The group is working with the Ministry of Health and affiliated to the Diabetes Fiji Inc which facilitates the training of young people with diabetes on the use of glucose monitoring machines.

Diabetes Fiji Inc’s programme co-ordinator Viliame Qio said the initiative was to try and prevent and manage the spread of diabetes to young people.

“The Young Diabetes Association was given donation by Latter-day Saint (LDS) Church for the provision of glucose monitoring machines to the young diabetics for Central Division,” Mr Qio said.

“At the end of the training, this glucometer would be given to identified members that would assist them to monitor their blood glucose level regularly.

“We have six members registered, but we are looking for more than 40 members.”

Meanwhile, officer incharge  of the Diabetic Hub in Suva, Dr Lisi Finaisi said, “The training is to educate them (young people with diabetes) to monitor glucose regularly using the standardised booklet and using a set baseline table to follow up on blood tests and physical measurements to avoid diabetes complication including blindness, kidney failure, amputations.”

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