World Diabetes Day was observed by the District NCD Cell, Imphal West under the National Programme of Non Communicable Disease at HWC Awang Wabagai and CHC Khumbong on Tuesday.
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is “Access to diabetes care”.
During the observation function, chief medical officer Dr Joykumar said that the need for health promotion and preventive care was emphasised including our indigenous eating habits, free of excess oils, carbohydrates and fats.
District Nodal Officer Dr Kimthailu of NCD spoke about the various activities taken under NCD cell. She also deliberated on the need for physical activity and positive lifestyle changes for a healthier society. Every citizen should have yearly diabetic screening with regular follow up of known patients and screening of any new complications at regular intervals, she added.
Dr Y Premchandra Singh, joint director of Health Services, said that in Manipur, under CMHA scheme, a total of 3,94,339 have been screened for diabetes during house visits and 15.7 per cent are suspected of having diabetes. Free drugs are also provided, the doctor said.
Under NCD programme, NCD clinics are established in all district hospitals, CHC, PHC and HWC. Free drugs and diagnostics are also extended to these patients whole special health camps, awareness talks to the public and field workers visits also performed.
He said that 1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes. Over 90 per cent have type 2 diabetes. Close to half are not yet diagnosed. In many cases, type 2 diabetes and its complications can be delayed or prevented by adopting and maintaining healthy habits. When not detected and treated early, diabetes can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications.
It should be mentioned that India has the second-largest number of diabetics worldwide. According to an estimate, over 74 million Indians were diagnosed with diabetes in 2021, and this is expected to rise to over 124 million by 2045.
According to NFHS-5, prevalence of raised blood sugar among males is 15.6 per cent and among females is 13.5 per cent and in Manipur, among males 16.5 per cent and among females 13.6 per cent.
Diabetes is a progressive disorder, if left undiagnosed and untreated, it could lead to disabling complications affecting multiple organs and systems in the body. Coronary heart disease, retinopathy, strokes, and nephropathy to mention a few. This, in turn, could result in premature morbidity and mortality with reduced life expectancy.
World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.
The World Diabetes Day campaign aims to be the platform to promote IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year. Global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue.
The campaign is represented by a blue circle logo. The blue circle is the global symbol for diabetes awareness. It signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes epidemic.
In 2023, the campaign will focus on the importance of knowing your risk of type 2 diabetes to help delay or prevent the condition and highlighting the impact of diabetes-related complications and the importance of having access to the right information and care to ensure timely treatment and management.
The Manipur Heart Care Society, Imphal also on Tuesday observed World Diabetes day 2023 at Khundrakpam Makha Leikai, Imphal East.
The event held under the initiative of Manipur Heart Care Society president Dr Kshetrimayum Kala to facilitate the senior citizens, was sponsored by Otsira Genetica Company, stated a release.
Speaking at the event, Dr Kala gave insights on cardio-diabetes, which is a heart disease in people who have diabetes, asserting that older people are more at substantial risk of the disease, it said. People with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease, he said and expressed concern over the rising diabetic and heart patients in the state, it added.
A free medical camp was also conducted as part of the event, during which around 100 individuals were provided free check-ups and medicines, it stated.
