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Could high rise in diabetes cases in VI bankrupt NHI?

- President of the BVI Diabetes Association Elton Georges CMG, OBE says it’s a cause for concern
November 10th, 2015 | Tags: Diabetes NHI bankrupt Elton Georges D. Orlando Smith
Although there are no statistics available that give a true picture of the amount of people afflicted by diabetes in the Virgin Islands, President of the BVI Diabetes Association Mr Elton Georges CMG, OBE believes, based on the information at hand, that the numbers could be very high and growing, which could adversely affect the economy and the National Health Insurance (NHI) set to come on stream on January 1, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Georges was at the time addressing the media at a press conference at the Diabetes Resource Centre on Main Street on November 2, 2015 when he spoke about the rising number of diabetes cases in the United Kingdom and fears that it could bankrupt the National Health Scheme (NHS) in the UK in the next 20 years if the trend continues. He suggested that estimated rising cases of the disease in the Virgin Islands should be of concern to government. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Georges was at the time addressing the media at a press conference at the Diabetes Resource Centre on Main Street on November 2, 2015 when he spoke about the rising number of diabetes cases in the United Kingdom and fears that it could bankrupt the National Health Scheme (NHS) in the UK in the next 20 years if the trend continues. He suggested that estimated rising cases of the disease in the Virgin Islands should be of concern to government. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Although there are no statistics available that give a true picture of the amount of people afflicted by diabetes in the Virgin Islands, President of the BVI Diabetes Association Mr Elton Georges CMG, OBE believes, based on the information at hand, that the numbers could be very high and growing, which could adversely affect the economy and the National Health Insurance (NHI) set to come on stream on January 1, 2016.

Mr Georges was at the time addressing the media at a press conference at the Diabetes Resource Centre on Main Street on November 2, 2015 when he spoke about the rising number of diabetes cases in the United Kingdom and fears that it could bankrupt the National Health Scheme (NHS) in the UK in the next 20 years if the trend continues.

According to Mr Georges, the cost to any country’s economy is staggering and that global spending to treat diabetes and manage complications was estimated at $620 billion in 2014.

In August this year, Diabetes UK wrote to the UK Government to draw their attention to figures that showed that the growth in diabetes cases could bankrupt the NHS in 20 years.

“We do not have estimates for the cost in the BVI, but expect it to be similarly high.

“It certainly is a concern to us also to pay attention to the cost to the economy as well as to the individuals due to the growth of diabetes cases,” Mr Georges stated.

In 2009 a survey by the Ministry of Health and Social Development with the Social Security Board and PAHO/CAREC/WHO found over 60% of residents surveyed reported a family history of raised blood sugar – diabetes.

In 2012 a Ministry of Health survey found that some 51% of deaths in the territory were due to Chronic Non Communicable Diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, cancer and kidney disease. “And we know that a significant number of those conditions are complications of diabetes. Diabetes is also the leading cause of limb amputations,” Mr Georges stated.

During the launch of the National Health Insurance system on September 1, 2015, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith acknowledged that diseases such as diabetes could be costly to those afflicted and assured that NHI would cover such non-communicable diseases.

“At a time when our health statistics are showing that very large numbers of our population have already contracted lifelong diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancer or heart disease and where we are likely to see these numbers going up in the future it and they provide quite a considerable cost to people who are suffering, and where we are likely to see these costs going up in the future, it is important that as a country we put in place a system which will guarantee that we get the care we need, when we need it and when  the time comes,” Dr Smith stated.

Diabetes threatening to bankrupt NHS

Diabetes is threatening to bankrupt the NHS in the UK after a 60% rise in cases in the past 10 years, Diabetes UK warned in August 2015.

According to The Guardian, cases in England and Wales have risen by 59.8% since 2005 with an additional 1.2 million adults living with the condition compared with 10 years ago.

The figures, extracted from NHS data and analysed by the charity, show that 3,333,069 people have been diagnosed with the disease.

A record number of people have been undergoing amputations because of diabetes, Diabetes UK also stated.

It warned that there is an urgent need for effective care for sufferers, while more must be done to highlight the importance of prevention.

This is a similar sentiment shared by the BVI Diabetes Association, which is observing Diabetes Awareness Month.

16 Responses to “Could high rise in diabetes cases in VI bankrupt NHI?”

  • ABC (10/11/2015, 16:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tell them elton
  • common in the BVI (10/11/2015, 16:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    prostate and breast cancer will surely take it out
  • Binocs (10/11/2015, 19:22) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    No it won't. NHI will not go bankrupt. No need to wish for that
  • Well (10/11/2015, 19:58) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    i will help break it. if i fart n dont like the smell, i going doctor. if a mosquito bite me, i going doctor. if a ants bite me, i going doctor. SOOOO diabetes is the least.
  • Sorry, Just a Test (10/11/2015, 21:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The figures, extracted from NHS data and analysed by the charity, show that 3,333,069 people have been diagnosed with the disease.

    A record number of people have been undergoing amputations because of diabetes, Diabetes UK also stated.

    It warned that there is an urgent need for effective care for sufferers, while more must be done to highlight the importance of prevention.
  • our health. (11/11/2015, 00:26) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    A person health is their top priority. Doctors and medication should be avoided. exercise, diet and stress management would reward us with long healthy lives. NHI should serve as a back up or a check up. But will be useful in cases of emergency.
  • wize up (11/11/2015, 05:21) Like (3) Dislike (18) Reply
    there are some persons in our territory that collect social security and do not pay those funds in to social security but social security continue to stand strong....give NHI a chance and see how it actually works, remember a number of people had negative things to say about social security now it's around over 30 years.....some of those NHI critics need to focus on the growing gun crimes in our community, the escalation in gun crime is far more important issue than NHI....
  • Jules Winfield (11/11/2015, 09:25) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    it is already morally bankrupt so being financially bankrupt will be the next step, we simply don't have enough people to make a scheme like this work because unlike social security money will have to be spent all the time not just when someone retires or gets a baby
  • What? (11/11/2015, 15:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What would have happened if we didn't have NHI? Would it mean that those uninsured who have diabetes would go untreated or more likley that they would have been left owing big bills which would have gone uncollected?

    With NHI, these people will be insured and treated the same as anyone else.
    • niki (11/11/2015, 17:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You need to look at what happens now. We the tax payers are paying the bills for those who have complications. Call a tax a tax. we continue to pay taxes, but calling a tax a contribution is way out of line.
  • Shaun (09/05/2016, 03:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Diabetes Solutions - It is a disorder of metabolism or can be called the way that body uses the food for energy. The starch, sugar and carbohydrates are broken down into glucose. The hormone insulin helps in absorbing the glucose and utilizes it for energy. Diabetes occurs when the body fails to form the insulin.
  • leroy (12/12/2016, 10:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope they will find a solution how to fight with this disease, medicine now can't give proper help for patients!
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