Over 100,000 diabetic people in TT

It is estimated that one out of every 11 people in TT may be diabetic.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, there was an estimate of 117,400 confirmed diabetics in this country for 2017.

This was revealed today by executive director of Physicians Pharmaceuticals Charmine Croll at the launch of the “Know Your A1C Number” project at Lions Cultural Center, Fitzblackman Drive, Port of Spain.

Croll said recent studies have put the figure closer to 140,000 cases in this country.

She also said 20 to 25 per cent of TT’s population are suspected to be pre-diabetic.

“Last November, the Minister of Health reported that 500 limbs were lost to diabetes each year. The government wants to reduce the number of limbs amputated due to diabetes by 20 per cent.

“We do have an over-weight and obesity problem in TT and it is also thought as much as one third of our school children may be pre-diabetic, because of the overwhelming obesity problem in the country.”

Croll said diabetes was now the second leading cause of death in TT, ranking the country among the highest in the world for mortality rates.