GLASGOW’S ethnic minority communities are being targeted in a health drive which aims to identify more people with a life-threatening condition.

Staff and students at Glasgow Caledonian University are hosting a drop-in testing service for type 2 Diabetes on the city’s South Side, aimed at people who are Black African, African Caribbean, South Asian or of Chinese descent, who are at higher risk of the condition.

One in two people with diabetes remain undiagnosed but 80 per cent of cases of type 2 diabetes are preventable.

The drop-in event is being held on November 14, from 12 - 4pm, at Dixon Community South East Carers Centre on Cathcart Road.

Dr Jane Nally, Director of the Diabetes Education and Training Unit at GCU said: “We are really focusing on people who are undiagnosed but we’re happy to speak to people who have been diagnosed as well because you can always improve your management.

“There’s an awful lot of people out there who have type 2 diabetes who are not diagnosed and the thing is once you know you have it, you can take tablets, change your lifestyle which will control blood glucose and most people can manage very well.

“If it’s not controlled then unfortunately it can be very damaging of the eyesight, kidneys, nerves and the heart and blood vessels. It can be very serious.”