DOMDA’s President Urges Early Diabetes Action and Calls for NationalChronic Disease Registry

The President of the Dominica Diabetes Association (DOMDA), Antonia Samuel, is calling for stronger action on diabetes prevention and management as it joins the international community in observing World Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day on November 14. This year’s International Diabetes Federation theme, “Early Action on Diabetes,” places emphasis on prevention, understanding risk factors, timely diagnosis and targeted health education among primary and secondary school students. Samuel says early intervention is essential to protecting lives and improving the long-term health of Dominicans.

DOMDA’s President points to the scale of the challenge locally, citing an adult

diabetes prevalence rate of 12.9 per cent. According to the figures referenced in

its statement, an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 people in Dominica are living with

diabetes, while approximately 24.5 per cent remain undiagnosed. Diabetes and

hypertension continue to feature among the island’s leading causes of death and

disability, she said, stressing that the impact extends beyond statistics to families,

workplaces and communities.

According to Samuel, DOMDA remains committed to supporting people already

diagnosed with diabetes while placing greater emphasis on prevention among

younger people through 2027. The Association’s initiatives include public

education campaigns, free community screenings and peer-support programmes

such as “Buddy Champions.” Antonia Samuel reveals that the Association also

aims to reduce complications associated with diabetes, including damage to the

eyes and amputations, but says coordinated action from government and civil

society is needed to address the wider challenge.

Ms. Samuel is appealing to the Government of Dominica to introduce a

mandatory National Chronic Disease Registry Policy, building on existing public

health measures such as the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax. She proposes a

legally supported system across primary health centres to standardise the

recording and monitoring of people diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension. It

argues that such a framework could improve continuity of access to essential

medication, strengthen screening for complications and help reduce gaps in

patient care.

DOMDA’s President is encouraging people living with diabetes to view their

diagnosis as a reason to take proactive steps rather than a barrier to their future.

It is also offering to work with the Ministry of Health, the Health Promotion Unit

and the Ministry of Education to advance public education and prevention efforts.

She is urging the public to adopt healthier eating habits, remain physically active,

monitor their health and support one another, calling for collective action to build

a healthier and more resilient Dominica.