The Hindu : New Delhi News : Camp for diabetes detection

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Friday, Nov 14, 2008
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New Delhi

Camp for diabetes detection

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: To bring the spotlight on the magnitude of the problem of diabetes that afflicts nearly four crore people across the country, the Centre for Diabetes and Lifestyle Diseases at Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Medical Sciences is organising a two-day “Diabetes Detection Camp” at its premises in Kalkaji here beginning Friday.

Centre director Y. P. Munjal said on Thursday that participants detected with diabetes at the camp would be provided free ECG examination, eye check-up and foot examination. Diet and exercise counselling would also be provided to visitors.

Dr. Munjal said the economic cost of the disease is very high and it is essential that more funds are spent on tackling it. Since diabetics are also two to four times more prone to cardiovascular disease, renal failure, blindness and vascular and neurological complications, he said it should be noted with concern that in 2008 the disease is estimated to kill nearly 3.8 million people and so it is essential that steps are initiated to create greater public awareness and bring down the cost of treatment in India.

Meanwhile, Heart Care Foundation of India president K.K. Aggarwal has said that diabetes management is not just about lowering the blood sugar level but also about how to keep future heart attack, kidney failure, paralysis and blindness at bay. Addressing a press conference here, Dr. Aggarwal said he would launch an SMS campaign on Friday in which he will inform 50,000 people across the Capital and the National Capital Region about what to eat and the type of lifestyle they need to lead to prevent this disease.

“Also I will give tips on how to manage diabetes if they are already suffering from this disease,” he added. Dr. Aggarwal said he wanted to send out the message that diabetes is preventable. “One should eat traditional food items like jawar, bajra, bananas and dry fruits like cashewnuts, raisins and almonds so that the insulin level gets decreased. People can even munch chana. However, Western fast food is affecting the health of not only urbanites for also rural folks who are eating chips and burgers.”

TV anchor Geetika Ganju also stressed the need to modify lifestyles to prevent diabetes. “Simple Indian food is the need of the hour. Parents also have responsibility to see that their children don’t overeat, exercise properly and avoid junk food.”

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