Wellington gets set for IDF Western Pacific Region Congress

Posted on March 7, 2008 at 12:22 PM by IDF News Team in Diabetes Events.

The 2008 International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress will take place in Wellington, New Zealand from 30 March to 2 April. The programme has now been finalised and is available at www.idfwpr2008.org.

PRESS RELEASE

Rising diabetes numbers drive immediate need for solutions

The community health programme survey results that found 60% of the respondents were susceptible to diabetes due to obesity and family history confirm the severity of the diabetes problem, according to the Manager of the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress Russ Finnerty.

‘This survey showed that more than half the population of Counties Manukau, here in New Zealand, is at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes according to the Let's Beat Diabetes programme,’ says Mr Finnerty. ‘New Zealand is not on its own with this problem. We know these figures are consistent with those in other countries throughout the region.

‘That’s why the Congress here in Wellington at the end of this month, with the theme Diabetes Asia Pacific: Working for Solutions is so incredibly important to every person, government and healthcare provider in this region.’

The 2008 International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific Region Congress is in Wellington from 30 March to 2 April and this forum can assist the governments in the region to identify solution. The programme has now been finalised and is available at www.idfwpr2008.org.

‘This Congress can identify the solutions that are already in development. We have the top experts in their fields coming here and sharing new developments in telemedicine, xenotransplantation, nutritional and environmental factors, and diabetes care and management.

From identifying solutions, we can move forward to implementing them,’ continues Mr Finnerty. ‘It’s vital that the movers and shakers in government and the health service work together on these solutions.

It is only by collaborating and by including community and consumer groups that we can bring real change and make these solutions work.’

With 1,700 delegates in Wellington for this one of this country’s biggest health conference, Mr Finnerty expects wide interest in the Congress from policy makers and healthcare providers throughout the region.

ENDS

For more information on the Congress programme, please go to www.idfwpr2008.org.

To arrange interviews with the Congress speakers or for media enquiries and further information on the Congress, please contact:
Bronwyn Bannister
Congress Communications Manager
(+64 4) 499 7143
027 410 4873
bronwyn.bannister@diabetes.org.nz