The Collective Prevention Service (CPS), an executive agency of the Ministry of Public
Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry of VSA), is
inviting the public to participate in a World Diabetes Day health
screening and educational program on Saturday, November 14,
2026.
The event will take place at the Belair Community Center from
8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and is being organized in collaboration with
the Sint Maarten Lions Club, the Diabetes Foundation of St.
Maarten and the Dialysis Department on French Saint Martin.
CPS welcomes the collaboration with the Sint Maarten Lions Club
on this project and is also looking forward to many more joint
projects.
World Diabetes Day is observed annually on November 14. The
international theme for 2026 and 2027 is “Early Action on
Diabetes,” with emphasis being placed on early diagnosis,
reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and ensuring
timely access to appropriate treatment and care.
Health screenings will begin at 8:00 AM and continue throughout
the day. Members of the public will be able to access diabetes
checks and receive information and professional guidance relating
to nutrition, kidney health, dental health, foot care and other
aspects of diabetes prevention and management.
CPS and teams will be conducting the traditional finger prick and
urine screening at the fair which is a first for CPS. This joint
collaboration will also allow the organizers to have local data
island wide.
The opening ceremony will begin at 9:00 AM with welcome
remarks by CPS Department Head Dr. Eva Lista-de Weever.
Opening remarks will also be delivered by Minister of Public
Health, Social Development and Labor Hon. Claret Connor;
President of the Diabetes Foundation of St. Maarten Louis Wever;
President of the Sint Maarten Lions Club Elton Richardson; and
Chairman of the Lions Club Health Committee J. Challenger.
The educational program will feature presentations from
healthcare professionals representing various areas of diabetes
care.
Nephrologist Dr. Jean-Marc Gabriel of Saint Martin will discuss the
connection between diabetes and kidney health. Kenia Simon,
Dialysis Screening and Prevention Nurse Coordinator at AUDRA
Saint Martin, will address outpatient care, dialysis screening and
prevention.
This is the first time for this new joint collaboration with AUDRA
Saint Martin marking the first of many collaborations between
both sides of the island on this topic that jointly impacts both
sides equally.
Dentists Dr. Rafael Bueno-Díaz and Dr. Kasandra Dowling of the
Dental Care Clinic will explain the relationship between diabetes
and dental health. Registered Nurse Shardina Blomont-Federick
will provide information about district nursing care.
Other presentations will focus on occupational wellness, nutrition
and dietary guidance, and medical foot care. Presenters will
include Occupational Therapist D’Antoinette Roger-Sorton of
Enable Holistic Occupational Therapy Clinic; Registered Dietitian
Karen Eusebius; and Registered Nurse Liska Busby of Soleful
Medical Services.
The presentations are scheduled to conclude at approximately
11:15 AM, while health screenings will continue until 3:00 PM.
CPS said early action is essential because type 2 diabetes may
develop gradually and can remain unnoticed for an extended
period. According to the World Health Organization, more than 40
per cent of people living with diabetes globally remain
undiagnosed.
Common warning signs of diabetes may include increased thirst,
frequent urination, unusual tiredness, blurred vision, unexplained
weight loss and wounds that are slow to heal. Some persons with
type 2 diabetes may experience few or no noticeable symptoms,
making regular screening especially important.
Persons may face an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes
if they are overweight, physically inactive, have a family history of
diabetes, experienced diabetes during pregnancy, or have high
blood pressure or unhealthy cholesterol levels.
CPS thanks its collaborating organizations, participating
healthcare professionals and volunteers for working together to
make health information, screening and preventive services
accessible to the community.
Know the signs. Know your numbers. Act early on diabetes.