Health experts across the borough ran a series of events to make people aware of diabetes and the steps they can take to avoid developing it.

Newham Recorder: Bridget Benjamin-Gousse, right, gets an eye screening as part of the Diabetes Awareness Week in Lord Lister Health Centre.Bridget Benjamin-Gousse, right, gets an eye screening as part of the Diabetes Awareness Week in Lord Lister Health Centre. (Image: Archant)

They were organised throughout the week to coincide with National Diabetes Week, June 9 to June 15.

Although most were run by NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group together with health professionals from East London NHS Foundation Trust, there were also others staged by Community Links at Plashet School.

Specialist nurses also held a series of eye screening awareness sessions in Manor Park and Forest Gate. Members of the public had health checks and received information on eye screening.

Community Links is working to raise awareness of diabetes by building on their successful cancer awareness and early detection schools’ project.

Frances Clarke, from the charity, said: “We are developing projects in secondary schools which will share vital health messages that can affect the behaviour of these young people for life. Also, we are asking the students to share these messages with their parents. We found this to be a highly successful approach with cancer awareness and we are hopeful that we can once again reach a lot of people through their children.”

Dr Zuhair Zarifa, Chair of NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Diabetes is a serious condition. However, it can be prevented and if you do have the condition together with support from your local NHS you can manage it and lead a good life.

“As the local leaders of the NHS in Newham we want local people to understand more about diabetes and what can be done so we are going out to different locations and talking to people to raise awareness.”