Diabetes rate soars in Scotland

The number of people in Scotland that have developed diabetes has soared in recent years, and a new report has found that one person in the country is now diagnosed with the metabolic condition every 35 minutes.
Nearly five per cent of the population have diabetes, and the number of new patients is increasing by four per cent per year. There are now thought to be about 287,000 diabetics in Scotland, some 95,000 of whom use insulin on a daily basis to treat their condition.
Before insulin, someone diagnosed with type 1 diabetes did not have much hope of surviving beyond a few weeks. With the 90th anniversary of the development of the hormone being on Monday, Jane-Claire Judso, national director of the charity Diabetes Scotland, pointed out “Everyone living with diabetes owes a debt to those scientists who made the breakthrough.”
One high-profile type 1 diabetic, Danny McGrai, who became a legend at Celtic football club, commented “It did take me a little while, and it was a bit of a nightmare, but I got there in the end, and treatment today is far better. It won’t stop you doing anything as long as you look after yourself.”
McGrain is currently helping a 15-year-old new Celtic player Paul McMulla, who was diagnosed with diabetes three years ago, but has recently signed a professional contract with the club.