21 September 2022
I have been sharing for a considerable time, years in fact, internationally published advice on preventing diabetes, including information on the need for a proper diet, exercise, a reduction in drinking alcohol, and cutting down on smoking, but preferably stopping smoking completely.
The article I share with readers today cautions against taking traditional herbal medicine and comes with a strong warning from the local health ministry of the dangers of mixing traditional medicine with medically prescribed medicines from doctors.
A senior doctor at the National Referral Hospital has said, and I quote.
“There is no substitute for a good diet and taking medications as prescribed, especially if you have been diagnosed with hypertension, high blood, heart-related problems, or diabetes. We need to be clear that the only known medications for such ailments are those prescribed by doctors.
"Despite its popularity, the health ministry says it is important that patients with NCD-related health complications stick with modern medication and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.
“Not all traditional medicines work, and we keep telling our patients that it could be dangerous or even fatal if taken over a long period. We find that some of our patients develop liver problems, and we can say this is caused by such traditional medicines.”
“We have told our patients not to mix modern and traditional medicine, as it can cause further health complications, what we know is no traditional medicine has cured any of the NCD-related illnesses.”
Extensive research conducted in 2011 found that out of 291,444 adults in the Solomon Islands aged between 20–79 years of age 45,465 had diabetes – a startling 15.6% of the sample population.
The numbers have risen drastically in recent years, and in 2021 it is estimated that close to 20% of similar sample sizes have diabetes.
Comment.
Preventing NCD-related illnesses is of major concern to the MHMS/NRH and the Solomon Islands Government and the advice of the professional doctors at the NRH and in clinics should not go unheeded.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
