It's becoming an epidemic in First Nations in Manitoba. Garth Flett has diabetes and says he lost his father to the disease. Garth's mother also has diabetes. It claimed her vision.
His three sisters have it, too.
The Manitoba First Nations Diabetes Committee estimates that by 2016 one in every four aboriginal people will suffer from diabetes.
Currently, many people have to travel to Winnipeg to receive treatment, and on Monday the committee launched the Diabetes Integration Project in hopes of offering services to people in their own communities.
The committee developed the first diabetes strategy in 1999, and hopes to build on that with this new initiative. It's being run by and for First Nations.
There will be travelling diabetes clinics complete with foot care, vision testing, and blood work.
There will also be counseling and education to help prevent the condition in the first place.
Executive Director of the Diabetes Integration Project, Caroline Chartrand says "it's a very historical moment for us because it's going to bring care and treatment to the communities where it's non existent at this time".
By 2011 they hope to have eleven mobile teams across the province, but for now they'll start with two.
With a report by CTV's Shaneen Robinson.
