The diabetes club 'Versme'History
The diabetes club ‘Versme’ was established in 1992 by doctor endocrinologist Antanas Šatas.
To the first meeting came 26 patients from Prienai region and Birštonas, to the second – 52. In 1992 April 29th the club was officially registered and Danguolė Mickiūtė was elected the chairwoman of the club. At the general meeting regulations were accepted and the club became part of the Lithuanian Diabetes Association. The meetings took part once in two months in the sanatorium ‘Versme‘. Different doctors gave seminars about diabetes and its proper treatment and control, and practical hints on day to day problems. Members also got donations like blood glucose monitoring strips, syringes, bandages, food. In 1993 November 14th the first World Diabetes Day was mentioned. In 1994 September Alma Sinkevičienė was elected a new chairwoman of the club. She was the head until 2011. From 1998 until 1999 the chairman of the club was Petras Aleknavičius. Aims and objectives of the club
The club comprises people who suffer diabetes, their family members, relatives, doctors. During the meetings information about diabetes treatment and control is provided. The sick are encouraged to live full life and be active in their community.
The club today The council of the club places the greatest attention to the spread of knowledge about all aspects of living with diabetes. They organize seminars and lectures and provide medical support. Each year the club organizes free blood glucose measuring with purpose to find out people who have already got diabetes but do not know about this problem.
The diabetes club ‘Versme’ is located in Birštonas parish community house. Members have a separate room and can freely organize meetings.
Tel.: 8 687 21 261
Financial support is gained by project-work from Birštonas and Prienai municipalities. The club therefore can obtain self-control appliances, organize camps for the youth and adults, and order literature. Other financial support is received by 2% of personal income tax, charity from medical companies and other organizations. Since 2011 January the chairwoman of Prienai region and Birštonas municipalities diabetes club ‘Versme’ is a nurse-diabetologist Birutė Bartkevičiūtė. |