The Diabetes Association of Jamaica is a limited liability company which is a private voluntary non-profit organisation. The Association was founded in 1976 by the Lions Club of Kingston & St. Andrew. Prof. Errol Morrison, who has been instrumental in the formation and development of the Association, is the Hon. Life President. Headquartered at 1 Downer Ave, the Association offers eye laser surgery; kidney dialysis and medication at reduce cost from this location.

There are also branches of the Association in Morant Bay, Port Maria, Port Antonio, Falmouth and St. Elizabeth. The Association will host its 16th International Diabetes Conference from March 25 – 28 next year in Ocho Rios. Diabetes Today on a recent trip to Jamaica, spoke to Owen Bernard, the Executive Director about the Conference and the Association’s work.

Pamala Proverbs: Thank you for granting this interview at such short notice. I had sent you the first issue of the Diabetes Today Magazine in December but heard nothing from you on it. What did you think about it?

Owen Bernard: I thought it was total crap that is why I didn’t contact you. (Laughing). I am just kidding it was great , a really good, classy looking magazine. As a matter of fact I am going to copy your idea and produce a similar magazine here in Jamaica. I have already started to compile the information for it. There is an international diabetes magazine association that you should consider becoming a part of.

Pamala Proverbs: I will look into that. Tell me about the conference slated for next year.

Owen Bernard: Our 16th International Diabetes Conference will be held at Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The theme is ‘Diabetes and Smoking the Deadly Duo’. It is a University of Diabetes Outreach Programme in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, University of Technology, and Northern Caribbean University. Because of the theme it will also be in collaboration with the Heart Foundation of Jamaica because the Heart Foundation spearheaded the initiation to raise fund to deal with tobacco issues. We have a coalition for tobacco control which both Associations are a part of, but the Heart Foundation took the initiative to access funding out of the Bloomberg Fund, and I think that 26 countries in the Caribbean is to benefit from this funding. They will be focusing on labeling. The unique thing about the Conference is that it is broad base. It is not only for the medically oriented persons, the content is so well structured, that it involves the lay people and the scientist. It embraces everybody.

Pamala Proverbs: The Association is very impressive in its set up. Tell me about its origins and how it became this multifaceted health centre.

Owen Bernard: Prof. Errol Morrison is the best person to speak to on this, our Hon. Life President. It is his brainchild; let me see if I get him on the telephone (calls but is unsuccessful reaching Morrison). You must speak to Prof. Morrison.

Owen Bernard: Downstairs we have a pharmacy, we have the Diabetes Association of Jamaica public clinic, which provides services such as ECG, eye screens, foot care, cholesterol checks and laser surgery.

On the middle floor we have the administration section we have about four different doctors: a family physician, eye specialist, psychologist, and diet counseling. Above we have the Diabetes Association Renal Unit, with 11 machines. We have a physician on that floor as well, above this is the gymnasium – we take a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of diabetes, and have everything under one roof that relates to diabetes management.