2,900 Oldhamers unaware they have diabetes

RESIDENTS are being asked to help shape future diabetes services in Oldham.

Dr Zubair Ahmad, clinical director for endocrinology with Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), is asking locals to share their views at two events, one at the Honeywell Centre, Hadfield Street, Hathershaw, tomorrow from 6.30 to 8pm. Anyone with diabetes or interested in knowing more can attend.

The second event will be at the Tesco store on Featherstall Road North on Friday (noon-4pm).

Dr Ahmad will give advice.

The events are being held during Diabetes Week which runs until Saturday. The aim is to encourage people affected by diabetes to talk about the condition.

Dr Ahmad said: “We think there are around 11,100 people in Oldham with diabetes, but we estimate 2,900 of these don’t know they have the disease.

“This figure is set to continue to rise due to a number of factors such as an ageing population, an increasing number of people being from a black minority ethnic background — diabetes is higher in certain communities such as South Asian — and the rising level of obesity.”




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