Diabetes Affects a Half Million Cubans

HAVANA TIMES — In Cuba there are about 513 000 people affected by diabetes, while a similar figure are unaware they have the disease, Dr. Ileydis Churches told Prensa Latina on World Diabetes Day.

According to the specialist, the prevalence rate of the disease, which can cause blindness, heart attacks, kidney failure and amputations, increases on the island due to risk factors such as obesity, low levels of physical activity and the type of food  eaten.

For over 20 years Cuba has a national program that includes pregnant women, children and adolescents with the disease, and those with diabetic feet, the latter being treated through the use of Cuban medicine Heberprot-P.