Press Release- Health Educator Central Health Region- HECOPAB, July 30th-
Belize is among a list of six Caribbean countries that will benefit from a project that is geared towards improving self management of persons with diabetes.The BRIDGES Project – Bringing Research in Diabetes to Global Environment and Systems is a study based project that will provide community-based diabetes education through peer educators and health aides. The overall objective of the project is to improve the quality of life for adults with Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes) through the implementation of a diabetes education program.
Seven Community health aides from Central Health Region and the Belize Diabetes Association will participate in a four-day workshop that commenced on July 29th,2013 at the Central Health Conference Room in Belize City. The workshop will cover various aspects of diabetes self management which will be communicated to persons living with Diabetes through support group meetings in selected communities.
Dr. Cliff Riley, Project Investigator, University of Technology, Jamaica and facilitator of the project handed over equipment during a brief opening ceremony. Along with Dr. Riley, Mrs.Christina Sanchez-Martinez, HECOPAB Health Educator for the Belize District will also be facilitating the workshops.
The BRIDGES project is being conducted through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Belize Diabetes Association and the Pan American Health Organization. The five other Caribbean countries that are benefitting from the project include Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Lucia.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to the implementation of health education programs to promote a healthy lifestyle for persons living with diabetes which remains the number one leading cause of deaths in Belize.
