The British Virgin Islands Ministry of Health and Social Development is taking steps to standardize the care and treatment of individuals with diabetes through the release of guidelines for the management of the disease.
Dr. Ronald Georges, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), explained that these guidelines were introduced by the Caribbean Public Health Agency CARPHA.
The launch of the CARPHA Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes in Primary Care in the Caribbean is scheduled to take place at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital on Thursday, July 20.
The main objective of the guidelines is to ensure that individuals with diabetes receive the same level of care, regardless of the healthcare facility they choose for treatment.
The potential impact of diabetes care guidelines
He shared that the program has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce complications, and enhance their quality of life.
He further said that it will lead to cost reduction and overall improvement in healthcare services.
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Strengthening diabetes care practices
According to Georges, the guidelines will be reinforced through ongoing education in the form of Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions. These sessions will focus on standardized assessment, care, and treatment for individuals with diabetes.
“We want these guidelines to be seamlessly implemented within our healthcare system. To do this, our focus will be on offering continuous education sessions, building collaborations with the Diabetes Association and clinicians as well as empowering patients to be more proactive and vested in their own care,” Georges said.
The CMO added that clinical audits will eventually be conducted to ensure the effective implementation of the guidelines. Additionally, further education and training will be provided as necessary to ensure the sustainability of the program.
