Port Louis, 17 November 2022. The Honourable Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr kailash Kumar Jagutpal launched Health Promotion Clubs in the Public Service on 14 November 2022 to mark the World Diabetes Day 2022 in Mauritius. The Health Promotion Clubs aim at promoting a healthy lifestyle among the public officers through regular practice of physical activity, talks and awareness campaigns on health issues, especially NCD risk factors and regular NCD screening programme. Eminent personalities including the Minister of Public Service, Administrative and Institutional Reforms, Honourable Mr Teeruthraj Hurdoyal and the newly arrived World Health Organization (WHO) Representative, Dr Anne Marie Ancia attended the event. High officials of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, representatives of other ministries and numerous public officers were also present.
“Diabetes is a silent killer. It affects a huge proportion of the population in Mauritius,” said Dr K. Jagutpal, Health Minister in his address. He expressed concern on the growing number of prediabetes in the population as well as the prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes. The risks of having complications are higher among the uncontrolled diabetes said Dr Hon. Jagutpal.
“You need to know yourself. That is in terms of your family history as heredity is a non-modifiable factor for noncommunicable diseases”, added Dr K. Jagutpal. He urged public officers to take advantage of the facilities that are being put at their disposal at their workplace for regular practice of physical activity to prevent diabetes and other NCDs.
“You need to invest more in your health and you have to work hard to make this behaviour of practicising regular physical activity a habit”, further added the Health Minister.
The Health Minister emphasized on this year’s theme "Education to protect tomorrow", and the need for better access to quality diabetes education for health professionals and people living with diabetes.
The last NCD survey conducted in 2021 shows around 20% of the overall population in Mauritius has diabetes. The prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes is a real concern as it increases the risk of severe health complications such as heart diseases, renal impairment, eyes problems and damaged arteries. Pre-diabetes and obesity are major precursors of diabetes and cardiovascular disease and therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle at an early age will help to reverse the situation. The support and technical assistance provided by the World Health Organization was duly acknowledged by Dr Hon. K. Jagutpal.
