Today, stakeholder groups of diabetes care, Chinese Taipei Diabetes Association, Taiwanese Association of Diabetes Educators, Formosan Diabetes Care Foundation, Catholic Sanipax Socio-Medical Service & Education Foundation (refer as Kungtai), civilian organizations, industry groups, education groups, DOH etc., held the "Health and Energy Garden Fete", in Ku-Ting Elementary School, Taipei, to echo 'the first UN observed World Diabetes Day - Unite for Diabetes'. In this important annual activity, several main themes were covered including WDD Walk 246 (indicating 246 millions diabetic populations worldwide) and announcement of the 'Taiwan Declaration on Diabetes'.
Sheng-Mou Hou (侯勝茂), MD PhD MPH, the Minister of DOH, stated in the ceremony: "…even Taiwan is not a member of the UN, our devotion on subjects which the UN concern about is never less. Today, we make the same step with many other countries, and promise to raise the human health and to devote the greatest efforts on the global united action of preventing and controlling diabetes." President Chuang, Lee-ming, MD PhD, Chinese Taipei Diabetes Association, led to announce the 'Taiwan Declaration on Diabetes'. "… to show our determination on resolution of preventing and caring the diabetes. By several months, after many times of vigorous discussions on considerations of related domestic and international documents and experiences, in light of actual circumstances in Taiwan, finally, we are able to bring the 'Taiwan Declaration on Diabetes' in front of the Taiwanese people, today.", President Chuang said.
Objectives of the 'Taiwan Declaration on Diabetes':
This Plan of Action is given with four major objectives in mind:
I. Raise public awareness on diabetes
II. Prevent or delay the onset of diabetes
III. Reinforce medical care service for diabetics
IV. Establish a comprehensive medical decision making system, and enhance medical care for people with diabetes;
All of these four objectives carry equal importance in the Plan of Action and each of them is indispensable. By drafting a great deal of concrete and feasible action schemes, to promote healthy life, improve the diabetes care and look after quality, etc., appeal for government bodies, medical institutes, professional personnel, the general public, parents, families, teachers, people with diabetes, industry partners, etc., to fight for the disease of this century, hand in hand together.
In today's festival, there are nearly 60 stands in the garden fete (including quick body check, challenge games, self-care and homecare information, etc.), exhibition of award-winning drawing-works by children with diabetes, competitions, attendants of people with diabetes, stakeholders and the general public, exceed 1,800 people.
Another major event of this year's WDD is 'Lighting of the Monument Taipei 101 Building'. The photo of lighting the blue circle on 101 building of Taipei from November 14th through 18th is showing in the VIP Room of the 5th floor of the Headquarters of the United Nations now.
'The UN resolution on diabetes' passed on December 20, 2006, recognized November 14th as the International Diabetes Day of the United Nations. This is, following AIDS, the first chronic disease to be recognized as an UN Day, to call upon the general public to pay attention on preventing and controlling diabetes. |
