There is nothing sweet about diabetes, although it involves the body’s ability to process sugars, and a leading non-governmental organisation is debuting an annual conference to tackle the various challenges emanating from this growing non-communicable chronic disease (NCD).

The two day seminar will feature Minister of Health, John Boyce – MP for Christ Church South, as well as a host of specialists from overseas, within the Caribbean and right here in Barbados. The seminar’s Keynote address will be Canadian Anne Belton who’s a diabetes nurse educator and education consultant. She’s Vice-President of the International Diabetes Federation for the term of 2013 to 2015.

She has co-authored two books, “The How to of Patient Education,” now in its 2nd edition (2010), written to help Health Professionals develop their teaching skills, and “Diabetes in Adults (2009),” a publication for people with diabetes and their families.

There’ll be visiting medical professionals such as Dr Dale Maharaj from Trinidad & Tobago, an expert in vascular surgery and restoration. Registered attendees will also hear from Kester J. Nedd, DO who’s a Board Certified Neurologist with Subspecialty training in Neurological Rehabilitation.

Among the Barbadian lecturers include Dr. Vikash Chatrani, Gyne-Oncologist who’s known for his phenomenal charity work as well as Dr. Jerry Emtage, pre-eminent Urologist. Participants also get the chance to gain insights from Dr. Sherwin Benskin – leading Ophthamologist and Retinal Surgeon; Dr. Toni Nicholls – Neuropsychologist who explores poor diabetes management; in addition to Dr. Nya Maughn – young psychiatrist exploring “The Barriers to Self Management.”

This conference is not your typical “diabetes seminar,” as it will feature a varied mix of health professionals who all play a role in the spectrum of diabetes care from pharmacology to physiotherapy and more.

The Barbados Diabetes Foundation calls on all stakeholders, participants, speakers and sponsors to take part in the 1st Annual Multidisciplinary Diabetes Conference creating the first steps toward multidisciplinary care.