The Wife of the President, Ms. Elizabeta Gjorgievska, gave a closing address today at a panel discussion on “World Diabetes Day”, which was held at the Europe House – Skopje, on the eve of the World Diabetes Day, 14 November.
Referring to current data and insights shared by the speakers, the President’s Wife expressed concern at the growing global trend in which individuals and families face the challenges of diabetes. Ms. Gjorgievska said that the experiences indicate that the majority of health problems, including diabetes, are related to an incorrect lifestyle. Therefore, more physical activity, proper nutrition and early diagnosis of a certain condition or disease are necessary.
According to her, such trends emphasize the urgency of joint efforts to fight diabetes on multiple fronts.
“From that perspective, I will just mention that diabetes, among other professionals, can also be noticed by the dentist, taking into account the symptoms that occur in the oral cavity”, Gjorgievska said, stressing the need for early screening of patients, which would significantly prevent the typical complications that occur in the later stages of a certain health condition.
In her address to the audience, the President’s Wife emphasized the need for destigmatization of patients facing diabetes.
“The more we talk about a certain problem, the less the stigma, because with the discussion the awareness among the citizens grows. People are afraid of the unknown, when you talk about it, you can simply approach a certain problem much more effectively”, Ms. Gjorgievska said, congratulating the recently promoted Protocol for dealing with children with diabetes in schools and kindergartens, and the book “Diabetes type 2 – from prevention to appropriate treatment”, which result of the enthusiasm and desire of several doctors whose professional commitment is to work in the field of diabetes.
At the event, organized by Health Hub, expert presentations were given by Dr. Irfan Ahmeti – President of the National Diabetes Commission, Dr. Tatjana Milenkovic – President of the Macedonian Scientific Association of Endocrinologists and Diabetologists, Prof. Dr. Lidija Popovska – Internist, Cardiologist, mother of a child with diabetes type 1 and Dr. Argent Mucha – Director of the Clinic for Endocrinology, while the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Ambassador David Geer, gave final remarks.
