Guest Info
Dr. Stephen King, an anatomical pathologist, co-founded and holds shares in Laboratory Services and Consultations Ltd. He is also a co-founder and shareholder of Medical Associates Ltd. As a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and an international fellow of the College of American Pathologists, he practices pathology privately. Dr. King played a pivotal role in shaping healthcare in Saint Lucia, contributing to the Saint Lucia Health Sector Reform Proposals 2000, Universal Health Care Proposal 2003, and National Strategic Plan for Health 2006-2011. Former chief medical officer, he co-founded the AIDS Action Foundation, chaired RISE (St. Lucia) Inc., and received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2008 from Her Majesty for his medical contributions in Saint Lucia. Serving as an independent senator from 2011-2016, he was further honoured with the Saint Lucia Cross in 2018 for his impactful societal contributions.
About the Show
In Saint Lucia, the harsh reality is that every 14% out of 100 individuals grapple with diabetes, making it a pervasive health crisis. As we delve into the concluding episode of our Diabetes Awareness Program, Chief Explorer Rajan Nazran engages in a conversation with Dr Stephen King, shedding light on the alarming statistics and the gravity of the situation not just in St Lucia but across the Caribbean.
Dr King unveils a stark truth—the third leading cause of death in St Lucia is diabetes or its complications. The discussion takes a thought-provoking turn, delving into critical aspects like government policies, land use, and the perils of trans fat, refined sugar, and highly processed foods. Dr King emphasises a worrisome shift in food culture towards less healthy diets, contributing significantly to the rise of diabetes and hypertension.
“What is needed to prevent and manage diabetes is not well addressed in Saint Lucia. Policymakers and the government should think far more deeply on matters of policy and be more visionary and understanding of what kind of society they are trying to nurture.”
Urging for proactive measures, Dr King advocates for governmental prioritisation of health education, physical education, and sports. He contends that individuals need to empower themselves through education and take actionable steps. Dr Stephen King calls upon policymakers to be visionary, emphasising the need for lasting policies that transcend political terms to make a substantial impact on the health landscape.
As we wrap up this enlightening series, the call to action echoes—knowledge is power, and collective efforts are crucial in curbing the diabetes epidemic in Saint Lucia and beyond.
Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.
Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Introduction music: (credit: https://freesound.org/people/TheoJT/sounds/511437/)
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