New Bill Proposes Vital Registry to Address Diabetes and Kidney Disease in USVI

A groundbreaking legislative initiative aimed at establishing a comprehensive Territorial Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes Registry sailed through the Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Committee of the USVI on Wednesday. This bold step, championed by Senator Ray Fonseca through Bill 35-0207, earmarks an investment of $250,000 towards the crucial goals of monitoring, tracking, and ultimately enhancing the life expectancy of Virgin Islanders grappling with kidney failure and diabetes.

Endorsed enthusiastically by Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion, this bill, once enacted, is poised to mark a transformative moment in the territory’s health management strategies for these chronic conditions. Encarnacion presented alarming statistics to the lawmakers, highlighting the dramatic escalation in diabetes prevalence within the territory—from affecting 12.7% or 10,382 individuals in 2016, numbers have surged, posing considerable health, economic, and social ramifications.

The proposed registry is envisioned as an invaluable asset for health professionals, enabling the systematic collection of data and observation of trends. This, in turn, will facilitate the development of targeted public health initiatives, informed by solid, data-driven insights. Encarnacion further elaborated on the registry’s potential to streamline resource distribution, enhance infrastructure planning, and aid clinicians in refining their care standards and practices.

The initiative has garnered unanimous support from legislators, recognizing the registry’s potential to fundamentally enrich healthcare delivery. Senators Novelle Francis, Diane Capehart, and Milton Potter have all voiced their backing, with Potter inquiring into the registry’s role in fostering focused outreach and care coordination. In response, DOH Medical Director Dr. Tai Hunte-Caesar elaborated on the registry’s utility in identifying the social determinants of health—key factors contributing to the onset of diabetes and kidney disease, thereby informing more effective health interventions.

The establishment of this registry is also seen as a repository of invaluable data, as articulated by Senator Potter, facilitating a deeper understanding of community health needs. However, financial considerations remain a point of discussion, with Senator Donna Frett-Gregory, chair of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, expressing concerns over the initiative’s funding requirements. The legislative journey of Bill 35-0207 continues, as it moves to the Budget, Appropriations, and Finance committee for further evaluation, following an affirmative vote from the Health, Hospitals, and Human Services Committee. The discussion was brought to an early close due to adverse weather conditions in St. Croix, but the commitment to advancing this pivotal healthcare initiative remains undeterred.