“Diabetes is the killer… at present, not cancer…yet.”

Sometimes you meet some inspirational people on the same journey.

I met up with Richard Tatwin this last week in Port Vila, Vanuatu. He is the Health Director of the Presbyterian Church Vanuatu (PCV). The PCV is the largest NGO health provider in Vanuatu.

Richard is a Ni Van that did his Optometry training in Melbourne and returned to Vanuatu about 12 years ago.

Richard has been running eye clinics around the Vanuatu islands for most of that time. A bit over 2 years ago he was approached to take on the Health Director role for the PCV. This involves continuing the eye clinics, supervising dental outreach and increasing nutritional education to the wider community.

That nutritional advice is very much LCHF. Eating local and seasonal, cutting way back on sugar and refined carbohydrates and recommending the saturated fats and not the polyunsaturated fats. That brought a smile to my face when I heard that! Continue reading →