Punjabi Community center conducts awareness campaigns for S. Asian diabetic patients in Canada

OTTAWA - As a part of the diabetes awareness campaign for South Asians whose numbers have reached alarming levels, the Punjabi Community Health Services center regularly holds workshops and helps the mainstream health-care providers to develop culturally-appropriate diabetes programs for them in the Peel Region in Canada.

“There are an alarming number of South Asians suffering from diabetes. We want them to understand how critical the issue is, and we are getting very good results,” the Globe and Mail News quoted health promotion manager Asma Khan, as saying.

The centre began an aggressive diabetes awareness campaign in November 2009 after it received government funding.

Their approach is two pronged, the organization helps mainstream health-care providers in Peel Region learn more about the South Asian population so they can develop culturally-appropriate diabetes programs, and also holds workshops for South Asians on diabetes risk factors and complications.

“The centre also uses South Asian newspapers, radio and television shows to promote the programs,” she added.

The Canadian Diabetes Association has also set up a South Asian chapter three years ago to target rising rates in the population, using programs tailored for the community. It recruits members of the South Asian community to talk at workshops and creates culturally specific tools to teach people about the disease.

“The chapter makes it easier to reach out to a community where many people attach a stigma to diabetes,” Canadian Diabetes Association chairperson Siva Swaminathan said. (ANI)