The prevention and control program of diabetes in Santiago de Cuba face today the challenge of finding new patients in the communities.

This need of the Health Care System in Cuba in finding new patients is related to the population aging, low-calories and sedentary life styles.

Dr. Dania Cardona, a second-grade specialist on endocrinology, warned that Diabetes can be prevented if a healthy weight, a rich diet on fruits and vegetables and a healthy life style is kept, as well as the practice of physical exercises on a regular basis.

She specified that 49, 2 patients per a thousand inhabitants is the incidence rate in the province, mostly women over 60 years. In front of this situation the family should pay attention to pains similar to Diabetes Type 2.

Ms. Cardona, who runs the Center of Attention to the Diabetic Patient in the province, affirmed the national program to take care of the diabetic patient includes pregnant women, children, teenagers, older adults and the treatment of the diabetic foot, this last with the new and efficient Cuban drug: Heberprot-P.

She acknowledged the educational program, created in 1980, as the first in Latin-America and the Caribbean.

In each municipality of the province there is, at least, one place for the integral attention of the diabetic patient where all patients can go. These places are equipped with doctors, podiatrist, nurses, nutritionists, and others specialists on education, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these illness.