National Assembly Member Mohammad Asghar has called on the Welsh Assembly Government to meet the challenge of rising diabetes rates with almost 2,000 new cases diagnosed in Gwent during 2009/2010.
Mr Asghar, speaking to the First Minister, said that he was “very concerned to note that the number of people in Gwent who have been diagnosed with diabetes rose by almost 2,000 in 2009-10”.
He added: “Blaenau Gwent is the worst hit area in Wales, and Torfaen, Caerphilly and Newport are not far behind”.
The Shadow Minister for Equality highlighted statistics which suggest “only a fifth of people who have type 2 diabetes manage their condition properly through diet and physical activity”
He also underlined the “serious health problems and complications that can arise from under-managed diabetes and the fact that diabetes and related illnesses cost the national health service £480 million in Wales”.
