City Hall turns blue for World Diabetes Day

Norwich's City Hall will this week be the only landmark building in the East of England to join some of the world's best known buildings marking United Nations-sponsored World Diabetes Day.

Included among the UN campaign are many of the world's most iconic buildings and sites. The global landmarks will light up in blue for diabetes and Norwich's City Hall is the only building in the region to bathe in blue as part of World Diabetes Day on Friday, November 14.

The Empire State Building in New York was the first building to join the World Diabetes Day campaign and agree to light up in blue. Since then the campaign has been joined by some of the world's most famous landmarks, including the London Eye, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Tokyo Tower, Niagara Falls, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, the Aleppo Citadel in Syria, the Sears Tower in Chicago, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, and the building currently considered the world's tallest: the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan.

Norfolk has a relatively high incidence of type 1 diabetes and the number of Norfolk children being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes has doubled over the past 15 years. There are about 30,000 people with diabetes in Norfolk and a further 2,500 are diagnosed each year locally.

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital consultant diabetologist Professor Mike Sampson said: “We think it’s fantastic that City Hall have agreed to do this in recognition of the efforts made by people with diabetes to look after their condition, and to recognise the the increasing number of people with diabetes in Norwich and across Norfolk.”

Norwich City Council leader, Steve Morphew said: “Diabetes affects the lives of so many people, especially in Norfolk, so we are proud to be backing the campaign. Anything that raises the profile of this illness has to be welcomed and we are also pleased to see City Hall, in its 70th year, being viewed alongside some of the world’s most famous landmarks.”

Wendy Hardicker, Assistant Director Out of Hospital Care for NHS Norfolk said: “Diabetes is a huge concern as with the rising incidence of obesity and other related conditions the prevalence is increasing year-on-year. NHS Norfolk spends £8.32 million on diabetic drugs per year (Sept 07-Aug 08). This includes insulin & oral anti-diabetic drugs. This represents about 504,000 written prescriptions.

“Anything we can do to raise the profile and awareness of diabetes is welcomed and NHS Norfolk congratulates City Hall on taking this initiative in recognition of this health challenge.”

Diabetes specialist staff at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital will have a display in the Elsie Bertram Diabetes Centre on Friday highlighting the range of specialist staff and services for people with diabetes; the Young Adult Clinic, the Specialist Podiatry service, Diabetes Specialist Dietitians, Diabetes Specialist Nurses, Diabetes Specialist Midwife, shoe fitting service, DAFNE education, and Conversation Map education groups.

Today, 246 million people live with diabetes globally. If nothing is done, this figure will reach 380 million within 20 years. The World Diabetes Day Resolution urges governments to implement national policies for the prevention, care and treatment of diabetes in line with the sustainable development of their healthcare systems.

Further details of the campaign and how people can show their support can be found at www.worlddiabetesday.org