$110 million for diabetes prevention

Diabetes is a health crisis across the country, but it strikes the hardest here in Manitoba, especially on First Nations Communities.

It is preventable, and on Wednesday the federal government committed more than a hundred million dollars to prevention efforts, hoping to save lives.

Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq made the announcement at the Long Plain First Nation west of Portage la Prairie.

The two-year program cost $110 million, and is aimed at preventing diabetes on First Nations.

Aboriginals are three to five times more likely to get type two diabetes than non-aboriginal Canadians. In Long Plain, a community of 2,000, over a 150 people have diabetes.

During Aglukkaq’s visit Long Plain First Nation elder and diabetic Ernie Daniels pointed out friends and family he has lost to the disease, honoured on a blanket.

“These are my relatives, all my relatives, my elders my first cousin.”

“I’ve seen blindness, I’ve seen death, I’ve seen limbs taken away.” said Daniels.

Program coordinator Liz Yellowquill says it’s not just elders who are affected by the disease.

“Diabetes diagnosis seems to be getting younger and younger every year, so let’s step in and try to stop it.”

The funding is an extension of a previous five-year program during which diabetes rates continued to rise on First Nations. The program promotes physical activity and better eating habits on reserves like Long Plain.