BARNETT INVITED TO JAPAN TO SPEAK AT DIABETES CONGRESS

Mr Guy Barnett, Ambassador for Diabetes Australia has been invited to represent Australia and speak at the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress* in Kyoto, Japan starting this Friday 23 November.

“It is an honour. The Western Pacific region makes up 36% of the 366 million people with diabetes in the world. The Pacific Islands have the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world with Kirabati having 25.7% of its adult population with diabetes, Marshall Islands with 22% and Nauru with 21%. Sadly, it has the highest number of deaths of any region with 1.7 million people dying each year from diabetes, he said.

“There are so many simple things we can do to thwart this global epidemic and Australia can play a key role in helping out in our region through our overseas aid program and in other ways.

“I have had discussions with the Government and there will be other key players involved at the Congress so there is plenty to talk about. I am thrilled to represent Diabetes Australia at this very important event”, he concluded.

*Congress details can be found at http://www2.convention.co.jp/idfwpr2012/
By Guy Barnett Wednesday, 21 November 2012