The representative of the International Diabetes Federation for the European region, Mominat Omarova, spoke on “Investment into prevention, early diagnostics and adequate therapy of diabetes saves the state and the afflicted money, and saves lives.”

Sharing the statistics on the rising numbers of diabetes patients and the diabetes-related death rate, Omarova underlined the importance of cooperation between different sectors in the prevention and fight against diabetes. She presented the initiative of the IDF titled “Diabetes Action Network” attempting to actively include parliament members into its work, through the establishment of diabetes task groups.

“A parliamentary network like this one would connect not just the region and Europe, but the entire world in the fight against diabetes, because only together can we oppose the life-shattering tsunami that is diabetes”, said Omarova

Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic Dejanovic, Chairperson of the Health and Family Committee, agreed that prevention crucial for fight against one of the biggest illnesses of modern times, stressing that the parliamentarians and the Health and Family Committee would be happy to join the fight:

“IDF parliamentary network is a perspective that we will gladly join”, said the Committee Chairperson.

Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic Dejanovic stressed that diabetes is among the five leading causes of death in most countries in the world, and according to expert estimates the biggest rise in the numbers of those afflicted is expected in developing countries such as Serbia. Diabetes is one of the leading problems of public health, said the Committee Chairperson, but added the heartening fact that preventive measures, good control of the condition and improved quality of healthcare can reduce the occurrence of the disease and its terminal outcome.

“That is why working on the prevention, keeping the people adequately informed and ensuring conditions for effective control of diabetes are vital”, stressed Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic Dejanovic.

Following the discussion on the importance of prevention in the fight against diabetes, the Committee members unanimously adopted the proposal to send a representative to the Parliamentary Conference on MEDICRIME, at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, on 24 November 2015, in Paris.

The sitting was chaired by Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic Dejanovic, Committee Chairperson.