Published Monday, 25 June, 2007 at 01:49 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Diabetes summit to boost chronic disease campaign in Torres Strait
A two-day health summit on Thursday Island will draw community leaders and government together to help combat chronic disease in the Torres Strait, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson said the Torres Diabetes and Renal Summit starts tomorrow as part of a week-long focus on health in the region and aims to encourage the community to improve their health and quality of life.
“I am alarmed by the growing incidence of diabetes in the Torres Strait,” he said.
“Since 1999, the number of people with diabetes has almost doubled to 1,047.
“The mortality rate from diabetes in the Torres and Northern Peninsula is around 10 times the rate for the rest of Queensland and life expectancy is around 25 years younger than for the general population.
“This summit is a timely initiative of the Torres Strait Health Partnership because it will develop an Action Plan to mobilise the community to manage their health and combat chronic illness.”
Mr Robertson will be one of the keynote speakers at the summit which will also hear from other community leaders.
“This summit is a great example of what local residents, community leaders and government can achieve when they work in partnership for a healthier community,” Mr Robertson said.
“It’s also an excellent opportunity for all Torres and Northern Peninsula residents to reflect on their lifestyle and think seriously about how to make their lives healthier.”
Mr Robertson said Queensland Health was significantly increasing its capacity to treat diabetes in the Torres Strait.
“We are establishing a four-chair satellite renal service in Cooktown and a four chair facility in Bamaga,” he said.
“The $39 million Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Centre to be constructed on Thursday Island will also have capacity for at least an eight chair satellite renal service and the new Weipa Hospital will include two self-care renal chairs.
“A project is also underway to build a home dialysis centre in Cairns for home therapy training. It is expected to open its doors in September 2007.
“Currently, around 25 patients in Cape York and Torres Strait receive home dialysis.”
Mr Robertson said a range of activities to promote a healthy lifestyle will be held during Health Awareness Week (25 – 29 June) in the Torres Strait including various sports clinics, Walk for Change and community art projects.
25 June, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson said the Torres Diabetes and Renal Summit starts tomorrow as part of a week-long focus on health in the region and aims to encourage the community to improve their health and quality of life.
“I am alarmed by the growing incidence of diabetes in the Torres Strait,” he said.
“Since 1999, the number of people with diabetes has almost doubled to 1,047.
“The mortality rate from diabetes in the Torres and Northern Peninsula is around 10 times the rate for the rest of Queensland and life expectancy is around 25 years younger than for the general population.
“This summit is a timely initiative of the Torres Strait Health Partnership because it will develop an Action Plan to mobilise the community to manage their health and combat chronic illness.”
Mr Robertson will be one of the keynote speakers at the summit which will also hear from other community leaders.
“This summit is a great example of what local residents, community leaders and government can achieve when they work in partnership for a healthier community,” Mr Robertson said.
“It’s also an excellent opportunity for all Torres and Northern Peninsula residents to reflect on their lifestyle and think seriously about how to make their lives healthier.”
Mr Robertson said Queensland Health was significantly increasing its capacity to treat diabetes in the Torres Strait.
“We are establishing a four-chair satellite renal service in Cooktown and a four chair facility in Bamaga,” he said.
“The $39 million Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Centre to be constructed on Thursday Island will also have capacity for at least an eight chair satellite renal service and the new Weipa Hospital will include two self-care renal chairs.
“A project is also underway to build a home dialysis centre in Cairns for home therapy training. It is expected to open its doors in September 2007.
“Currently, around 25 patients in Cape York and Torres Strait receive home dialysis.”
Mr Robertson said a range of activities to promote a healthy lifestyle will be held during Health Awareness Week (25 – 29 June) in the Torres Strait including various sports clinics, Walk for Change and community art projects.
25 June, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680