Citizens with diabetes are to be issued with a 'diabetes passport' to help them keep track of their health.

Health Minister Walter Roban announced the move in the House of Assembly, saying it would highlight the care process for the disease.

It coincides with the publication of 'Guidelines for Diabetes Care in Bermuda', by the Government this week.

More than a tenth of the population of Bermuda some 8,000 people, suffer from diabetes, with another 8,000 considered at risk of developing it.

It is a condition where the body has a shortage of insulin or a decreased ability to use insulin a hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to be converted to energy.

Insulin allows the glucose to move from the blood into liver, muscle, and fat cells, where it is used for fuel.

When diabetes is not controlled, glucose and fats remain in the blood and can damage vital organs or lead to heart disease or strokes.

Treatment varies from each individual but generally involves insulin injections.

Mr. Roban told MPs: "The Department of Health has taken the lead in an initiative to standardise and enhance health care for people with diabetes on the Island."

He said his predecessor, the late Nelson Bascome, had appointed a Task Group for Diabetes a year ago to review best practice and develop guidelines for management and care of the disease.

This consisted of 15 health care stakeholders including doctors, nurses, dieticians and pharmacists.

Mr. Roban this week released the Task Group's 'Guidelines for Diabetes Care in Bermuda'.

He said yesterday: "Diabetes is one of the leading threats to the health of Bermuda's population. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in Bermuda."

Between 2005-7, hospitalisations from diabetes rose by almost a third (136 — 177), placing an extra burden on the health care system.

Mr. Roban said: "The need to standardise and improve health care for people with diabetes in Bermuda is threefold.

Firstly, to try to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes; secondly, to ensure that patients with diabetes get the best care possible to prevent diabetes complications and improve quality of life; and thirdly, to minimise health care costs attributed to the disease.

"The goal of these Guidelines is to set a 'Gold Standard' for Bermuda to ensure the highest standard of diabetes care and improve the capacity to screen, refer, deliver, manage and monitor services for people with pre-diabetes, diabetes and reduce complications of the disease."

The Guidelines were compiled from clinical guidelines from the American Diabetes Association, Canadian Diabetes Association, Caribbean Health Research Council, International Diabetes Federation, and the Royal College of Physicians in London.

Mr. Roban said: "They outline best practice and identified target blood screening levels, specific diagnostic criteria, treatment regimes, referral criteria and follow-up recommendations.

"They should help to ensure that Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are managed effectively."

The Guidelines will be distributed to doctors and health care professionals from the start of next year. Education sessions will also be held for nurses and other physicians.

Mr. Roban added: "In addition, a 'diabetes passport' will be produced for patients to highlight the diabetes care process and help them keep track of their personal information."

No more details were available. A Government spokeswoman said: "No details will be provided until the Guidelines have been distributed and education has taken place with the stakeholders."

The Minister said the diabetes initiatives were in line with Government's National Health Promotion Strategy 'Well Bermuda', as announced in the 2006 Throne Speech.

Government has teamed up with the Bermuda Diabetes Association (BDA) in an attempt to reduce the prevalence of diabetes in the country.