Jean Bitar Hospital emphasizes the importance of diabetes diagnosis and treatment

As a state reference in the treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, Jean Bitar Hospital (HJB) in Belém takes advantage of the National Diabetes Awareness Day to alert the population about the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the disease.

Only between January and April of this year, the Hospital conducted 5,341 medical consultations in the field of endocrinology, responsible for monitoring patients with diabetes. In the same period, the "Zero Obesity" Program, from the Government of Pará — executed by the HJB team — recorded 2,078 bariatric surgeries aimed at treating obesity, which is one of the main risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes.

According to HJB endocrinologist Rafaela Miranda, "diabetes is a chronic and metabolic disease that causes an increase in blood glucose, that is, sugar in the blood. It can be caused by insulin deficiency — in the case of type 1 diabetes, more common in children and adolescents — or by the body's difficulty in using insulin properly, which is called type 2 diabetes."

Overweight, family history, and gestational diabetes are among the main risk factors. "If you have a father, mother, or siblings with diabetes, or have had diabetes during pregnancy, for example, you are more likely to develop the disease. Therefore, monitoring is essential," emphasizes Rafaela Miranda.

Treatment through SUS - The treatment of the disease is offered free of charge by the Unified Health System (SUS). "Diagnosis is usually made at Basic Health Units, based on laboratory tests. After that, the patient can be referred to a reference service, such as Jean Bitar Hospital, where they are monitored by a multidisciplinary team including an endocrinologist, nutritionist, and psychologist, among other professionals," explains the endocrinologist.

Retiree Rosa Maria Teles, 68, a resident of Belém, is one of HJB's patients. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, she reports that she has been receiving follow-up care at the unit for three years. "I think the service at 'Jean Bitar' is great. All the doctors were very attentive and explained everything clearly. I have consultations, on average, three times a year, receive guidance on exercises, such as walking, and do my tests right here. Thank God, my diabetes is well controlled with this follow-up," assures the patient.

Jean Bitar Hospital promotes access to specialized care and encourages healthy habits for the control and prevention of diabetes and obesity.

Service: Jean Bitar Hospital is part of the public health network of the Government of Pará and is managed by the National Institute for Social and Human Development (INDSH), in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa).

HJB provides assistance in medium and high complexity in outpatient and hospital areas for transgender users, and in medical and surgical clinics for patients with metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases. The unit is located at Rua Cônego Jerônimo Pimentel, No. 543, in the Umarizal neighborhood, in Belém.