Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Nov 12: With the slogan 'Diabetes Care for Everyone', the World Diabetes Day 2006 campaign aims to raise awareness about Diabetes and its complications.

With an aim of educating the public about diabetes, KMC Hospital will organize a free diabetes check-up followed by quiz programme on diabetes for patients with diabetes at KMC Hospital, Attavar on Nov 14.

According to a press released the hospital has stated that Indians are more prone for diabetes than almost any other population in the world. Western dietary habits, sedentary life style and exposure to psycho-social stress have resulted in an unprecedented rise of diabetes to epidemic proportions during last few decades in our country making “India – the diabetes capital of the world.’

In India it is estimated that presently 2 crores of individuals are affected by this deadly disease, which is likely to go up to 5.72 crores by the year 2025. About 2% of the people, in a survey in Indian villages were found to be diabetic, and more alarming observation was that half of them did not know that they had diabetes.

This infers that there are at least 20 million diabetic patients in India, which is the highest ever reported number from anywhere in the world. Further, Indians tend to be diabetic at a relatively young age of 45 years which is about 10 years earlier than in West. There is a need for a concerted effort from all concerned to first of all know that we Indians are more prone for diabetes and heart disease.

In a recent study on Udupi urban population, says Dr N R Rau, Head, Dept of Medicine, 9 per cent of people above 18 years were found to have Diabetes and another 8 per cent had impaired glucose tolerance which is a forerunner of Diabetes.

According to Dr N R Rao, Understanding diabetes, living with diabetes and preventing further complications are the major concerns of the health education programs. Every diabetic should be his own dietitian, nurse and doctor'. `The diabetic who knows most will live the longest'.

“On the occasion of World Diabetic Day, Medicine Department is organizing a Diabetic Education program. Public can ask questions to a panel of leading Physicians of Kasturba Hospital. This is an ideal venue for public, to clarify doubts of all nature about diabetes, and lead a quality life hence forth. Information about Low Blood Sugar condition and other complications of diabetes will be provided. The Diabetic Education program will be held at Sanjeevini Hall (Nr Tiger Circle), Kasturba Hospital from 5 pm to 6 pm, informed Dr N R Rao.

The Free Diabetic Screening Package includes Random Blood Sugar, BP, Height and Weight, Diabetic Foot Examination and Education by Surgeon, Consultation with Eye specialist and with Physicians is offered free on November 14.

The Physicians will be providing advice on regular physical activity and the program includes demonstration of Insulin Devices, the release added.