On Wednesday the 13th of November three Australian Senators raised an official motion for the national Parliament to recognise World Diabetes Day and the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS).
The first was made by Senator Dana Wortley of South Australia who spoke on behalf of herself and Senator Guy Barnett of Tasmania. In their motion they noted;
• On 20 December 2006 a landmark decision was made by the United Nations General Assembly to adopt a resolution which recognised the risks and complications diabetes can create
• An estimated 246 million people aged between 20 and 79 worldwide have diabetes and this number is expected to grow to 380 million by 2025
• An estimated 7.4% of the Australian population are living with diabetes
• Left undiagnosed and untreated diabetes dramatically affects quality of life and shortness of lifespan
The Senators also called on the Government to continue to make diabetes a national health priority and continue to promote healthy lifestyle programs especially targeted to children and young people.
Following this Senator Rachel Siewert of Western Australia moved that the Senate noted the following about the NDSS;
• This year’s World Diabetes Day is focusing on diabetes in children and adolescents
• People living with diabetes are at an increased risk of cardio vascular disease, foot complications, dental problems and amputations
• 2% of all Australian deaths are due to diabetes
• 8% of all Indigenous deaths are due to diabetes
Senator Siewert also called on the Government to continue its efforts to ensure that people in regional, rural and remote communities have adequate access to the NDSS.
To read the full Senate Hansard of these motions
click here