News Release

Church Donates to Diabetes Association

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in Port Moresby recognised Worldwide Diabetes Day recently by donating materials to the Diabetes Foundation and the NCD health services at a special meeting held at Four Mile Chapel.

The Church donated six blood pressure machines, 12 glucometers and 5000 glucose strips to the PNG Diabetes Association.

Dr. Amos, head of the Diabetes Association in PNG attended the meeting, and took some time to speak briefly about the history of the association.  

     
                                                  

Two areas of awareness were emphasized in PNG’s Worldwide Diabetes Day: screening and the effect diet has on the development of the disease.

Paul Whippy, manager of the Church Service Centre, said about the donation, “We do what we believe Christ would do.  No one is shut out from help.”  He suggested those who want more information about the Church’s humanitarian efforts may go to the website ldscharities.org

Papua New Guinea is one of the 21 countries and territories of the International Diabetes Western Pacific region. More than 400 million people have diabetes in the world with almost 153 million people from the Western Pacific Region; by 2040 this will rise to 215 million.

With 507,900 cases of diabetes reported in Papua New Guinea, district medical officer of Moresby North West, Doctor Veronica Niltainde said, “We have not had enough materials to do our diabetes checks. The materials donated by the Mormon Church are needed for free checks.”

The Church’s country welfare manager Edward Allembo said, “The Church is working with Pacific countries to identify diabetes projects which have an impact on the people and are also sustainable."

                     

During 2015 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided humanitarian assistance in 136 countries throughout the world.

Latter-Day Saint Charities is an arm of the Church’s humanitarian efforts to relieve suffering for families of all nationalities and religions and offer hope with the potential for a better life for millions of people around the world.

Additional Resources

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