Diabetes testing clinic builds awareness among high-risk Manitobans

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This article was published 27/11/2021 (1125 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A mobile diabetes testing clinic did its part to deliver outreach on Sunday and ensure the local Indo-Canadian community is protected against the disease.

The clinic, held at Maples Community Centre, was part of the private medical diagnostic company Dynacare’s fourth annual Dynacare4Diabetes campaign.

City councillor Devi Sharma, who represents the area, and Manitoba Health Minister Audrey Gordon were in attendance.

“It’s diabetes awareness month. I’m so happy to collaborate with Dynacare and Diabetes Canada to get the word out to the South Asian community. We are at high risk for the disease, alongside with the staggering number of 403,000 Manitobans that are affected,” said Sharma, who helped co-ordinate the clinic.

“It’s very important to have these awareness campaigns. We have a very good turnout today.”

Sunday’s event marks the end of Dynacare’s annual campaign against the disease in Winnipeg. Dynacare completed more than 30,000 diabetes tests during its most recent campaign.

The company has also donated 50 cents to Diabetes Canada for every test completed during the campaign. The aim of the campaign is to make at-risk Manitobans more aware of their risk factors.

“One of my jobs when I worked with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority was with the kidney dialysis program where I provided services and supports across the province… What I learned in my time there was that 45 per cent of Manitobans who develop diabetes will go on to develop end-stage renal disease,” Health Minister Audrey Gordon said.

“We can go what we call upstream, to determine an individual’s risk factor for developing diabetes. That is called prevention. Today is about prevention.”

At-risk groups include people who are overweight, over 40, or of Indigenous, African or Asian descent.

“We’re delighted that Dynacare continues to raise awareness of Type 2 diabetes, providing educational avenues and facilitating much-needed testing to people who are at risk of developing this disease,” Andrea Kwasnicki, Diabetes Canada’s Regional Director Manitoba/Saskatchewan, said in a written statement.

“This campaign encourages people to take control of their health and seek the care they need to prevent or treat diabetes. A special thank you to Maples Community Centre and the many volunteers that helped make this mobile clinic possible.”

The 2021 Dynacare4Diabetes campaign runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 6.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

@rk_thorpe