Tamil Nadu - Vellore   

“Diabetes a biomedical disorder”

Healthy choice: Visitors looking at exhibits at a diabetes awareness camp organised by the CMC and Lions Clubs International District 324-A4 in Vellore on Friday.

VELLORE: “Diabetics should know to live with diabetes, which is not a disease but a biomedical disorder, which can be managed through proper and regular diet and exercise,” said C. Vamsadhara, Dean, Government Vellore Medical College Hospital (GVMCH).

He was inaugurating a Diabetes Awareness Camp organised by the Departments of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism of Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital and the Lions Clubs International District 324-A4 here on Friday.

Dr. Vamsadhara said diabetes is the outcome of lifestyle changes necessitated by a hi-tech life. Office-goers should not cite diabetes as an excuse for applying for leave or for absenting themselves from regular duties by obtaining permission from their superiors to leave office early. Even children having diabetes never cited it as an excuse for absenting themselves from school, but attend school regularly by following the drug regimen and diet prescribed for them, she said.

The incidence of deaths due to diabetes have come down in recent times thanks to greater awareness. “In our hospital, we do not allow patients to become disabled due to diabetes, by giving proper advice on their diet, foot care and medication. But, some disabilities do occur due to lack of awareness,” Dr. Vamsadhara said.

Mahendri, Chief Dietician, Department of Dietetics, CMC, said that one should take good care of health since one’s personality stems from good health. Intake of a balanced diet comprising cereals, pulses, vegetables/fruits, milk and meat was necessary for good health. Balanced diet is not costly as many people wrongly assume, she said.

District Chairperson-Diabetic Awareness, Lions Clubs International District 324-A4, A. Somasundaram said the camp has been organised with a view to making people aware of preventive measures. Kanagamani, Assistant Professor, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, CMC, said that the camp is a team effort by the Departments of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Dietetics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Physiotherapy, Ophthalmology and Physiotherapy of the CMC.

S. Emperumal, District Chairperson, Lions Clubs International District 324-A4, welcomed the gathering. A.K. Ravi, president, Lions Club of Sathuvachari, spoke. A. Ravi, president, Lions Club of Kannamangalam, proposed a vote of thanks.

Blood sugar level, blood pressure, height and weight of visitors were checked and counselling given. The camp also included an exhibition of diabetic diet and orthotics and prosthetics. Visitors were given counselling on proper foot care and wearing proper footwear.

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