At least 600,000 people in Nicaragua are diagnosed with diabetes, the Nicaraguan Association of International Physicians reported today, which will organize in Managua the seventh GLED course (Latin American Group of Epidemiology of Diabetes), from July 5 to 11.
"In Nicaragua it is estimated that there are between 10 % and 12 % (of the population) is diabetic, already recognized, (so) at least 600,000 people who are diabetic," said the president of the association, Adrián Zelaya.
The doctor said that the number of people who have diabetes without being diagnosed is unknown, as well as those who could develop it.
Zelaya said that the GLED course will be the opportunity for medical students and professionals, as well as the Nicaraguan population, know how to attend to this disease.
"We want all the actors to participate, to educate the population, so it can be understood that diabetes is preventable and can be known with quite certain who is risk and how much risk it has to be diabetic," the doctor explained.
According to Zelaya, the best way to deal with diabetes is that both nurses, nutritionists, psychologists, patients and family members know about the disease, to mitigate their effects.
Part of the specialists who will provide the course are from Argentina, Colombia, the United States and the United Kingdom.