Bi-communal Awareness Campaign for World Diabetes Day

On Friday, 18 November, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot medical doctors serving on the United Nations-supported Technical Committee on Health Matters and on the Cyprus Joint Committee on Health will launch the “Diabetes Awareness” initiative through the distribution of leaflets about Diabetes at the Ledra Street/Lokmaci crossing between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

This is part of a global campaign to promote World Diabetes Day observed each year on 14 November.

The leaflet, in Greek and Turkish, and English aims to raise awareness in the two communities on Diabetes prevention, diagnosis and treatment.  The doctors will encourage awareness and better understanding of the Diabetes epidemic.

On 18 November, a conference will also take place at Chateau Status in Nicosia at 7 p.m. with the participation of medical doctors from across the island who will exchange views on the current situation of prevention, diagnosis and treatment.  The conference will be launched by the Technical Committee on Health Matters with welcome addresses by Committee team leaders Mr. Mustafa Akcaba and Dr. Chrysanthos Georgiou. (Media interested in covering the event must register in advance.  Please note there are limited seats available. See contact information below.)

 “Diabetes Awareness” is an initiative of the Technical Committee on Health Matters for the World Diabetes Day. Serving as a confidence-building measure between the island’s two communities, the event will take place with the involvement and participation of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot specialized medical doctors.  This initiative is supported by UNDP-ACT.

The Technical Committee on Health Matters has been active since its establishment by the two leaders in April 2008.  The Technical Committee has successfully put in place the measures for the crossing of ambulances in emergency cases and the establishment of a Cyprus Joint Committee on Health.