Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to bring to the attention of the health minister the need for an effective diabetes program to be offered at our small health centres. The First Nations people are known to be high risk for diabetes, and we have many scattered First Nations communities throughout the territory. Some are not accessible by highway and are completely isolated. It makes one wonder how do you manage without an effective diabetes program in place, even in my community of Fort Providence.
Mr. Speaker, let me tell you about my experience being part of such a program during my employment in Hay River. The regional health centre has a dedicated diabetes team made up of three staff. Every three months, they notify you to have blood work to determine your A1C level and most times for the kidney check. A week later, they call you in with a group of about four to five diabetics. You are weighed, measured for girth and height, and everything is documented in the passport log booklet, including other info required as a diabetic.
Through this system, you can upgrade or have refill prescriptions prescribed. They also have healthy, sugarless snacks and food available to sample. The goal is to ensure your sugar intake is kept to a very bare minimum, if at all possible. You have to remember that diabetes is an ongoing chronic disease. If left unmanaged, this can lead to serious complications with one's health. This is a very well-run diabetes program and, sadly, not offered in the smaller health centres in the small communities. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the health Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi.