President of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica Professor Errol Morrison said diabetes, which is among the top three causes of death in the island, is now affecting close to 500,000 Jamaicans.

“What we have been seeing is that this figure has been increasing over the years, and the projection is that in another 20 years we may see a 50 per cent increase,” he said.

Professor Morrison added that while the figure is daunting, more cases can be prevented if persons adopt a healthy lifestyle, which includes modifying diets and getting adequate exercise.

It is in keeping with this aim that JIS will be partnering with Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Limited to host a health expo and workshop at its Kingston head office to commemorate World Diabetes Day which is being celebrated today.

Employees of JIS and several other government agencies are expected to benefit from the event which will focus on diabetes, a non-communicable disease which affects approximately 400 million people worldwide.

Chief Executive Officer of Massy Distribution (Jamaica) Limited, Richard Barrow, said persons do not pay enough attention to diabetes, which is a “global silent killer,” and his company is happy to be playing a part in the public education process.

Massy Distribution operates a My Star Programme, which offers a free value-added diabetes education and support to doctors and their patients. The programme is geared towards improving glycemic control, prevents diabetes complications, promotes self care and improves the patient’s quality of life.

Barrow noted that Friday’s initiative is in keeping with the company’s policy for health promotion throughout the Caribbean.

“Part of our manifesto speaks to the spirit of giving back throughout the Caribbean. These are the initiatives that Massy considers extremely important for the furtherance of better health for persons,” he said.

The Massy Distribution boss added that working with JIS is a preferred choice because of the agency’s shared vision to educate Jamaicans.

“We also want to be able to partner with organisations like ourselves that will take the opportunity, as well as the necessary detail, in spreading this word throughout all of Jamaica and has the capacity and infrastructure to be able to do that,” he said.

In the meantime, Director of Human Resources at JIS Bernita Locke said the partnership with Massy Distribution coincides with the agency’s own plan to launch a health programme for its employees.

“One of our initiatives this year for our employees is to introduce a fitness and wellness programme across the agency. It did not take us very long when Massy Distribution invited us to partner with them to promote World Diabetes Day, because we recognise that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce and in keeping with the Occupational Safety and Health thrust of the Government, we are right on board with it,” she said.

The workshop is open to employees of several government agencies, including National Housing Trust, National Solid Waste Management Authority, KIA Motors and Chelsea Jerk Centre.

It will comprise several presentations by diabetes educators and podiatrists as well as diabetes screening and cholesterol tests, product sampling and healthy meal preparation alternatives.