Sixty thousand people in Ireland suffer from diabetes unaware they have the life-threatening condition, it was revealed today.
During a nine-month screening programme at a pharmacy in Kilbarrack, north Dublin, hundreds of people were tested for the complaint with one new case found every six weeks.
Leading pharmacist Leonora O'Brien estimates on a national scale there are 60,000 undiagnosed cases.
This is on top of the 140,000 people already suffering from the diabetes.
The figures, confirmed by the Diabetes Federation of Ireland, were revealed at the Irish Healthcare Pharmaceutical Awards in Dublin. Ms O'Brien, who ran the Kilbarrack screening initiative, said it was important to get an early diagnosis.
"We have provided all our diabetic patients with their own personal glucose meter. This allows them to monitor their own glucose levels and keep their condition under control," she said.
"This goes a long way towards preventing complications with their diabetes later in life."
Ms O'Brien was recognised for her proactive approach to community healthcare through her screened programme.
Diabetes is now considered a growing epidemic by the World Health Organisation with present numbers of people with the disease set to double over the next 10 years to 240 million worldwide.
PA