Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra has called upon doctors in the private medical sector to extend a helping hand to the government sector in reaching specialised healthcare to the poor.
Inaugurating a diabetes exhibition and screening camp organised by R.R.V. Diabetes Specialities Centre at Gujarathi Samaj on Monday, he said awareness on diabetes was vital to any programme to control the rise in the number of those affected.
This awareness should be generated among the poor also. As this section did not have money required for specialised care in private hospitals, the doctors could take up awareness and treatment programmes in government and Corporation hospitals.
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“We have the infrastructure in the form of 30 to 35 hospitals, maternity and health centres but are short of doctors. This is where private doctors can step in and strengthen our healthcare system,” he said.
Stressing the importance of sensitisation, the Commissioner said that while treatment was one aspect of diabetes control, the other vital one was awareness on the disease and its consequences. “Awareness camps such as these are needed as many people are ignorant of the problems that the disease can cause.”
Taking a look at the diet pavilion of the exhibition, the Commissioner appreciated the centre’s effort at educating the public through a simple colour-based method.
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All leafy vegetables and other items that could be consumed by diabetics were displayed on a table covered with a green table spread. Those that should be taken with some caution were on a yellow spread and those that should not be eaten at all were on a red spread.
“The poor who cannot understand medical jargons will easily understand from this innovative arrangement what they can eat and what should be avoided,” he pointed out.
Posters on various types of disease and their management were also on display at the camp venue.
Explaining the purpose of the camp and exhibition, Chief Diabetologist of the Centre V. Rajendran said people needed to be sensitised to the causes and effects of the disease.
Free blood sugar, electro cardiogram and bio-physiometry (for diabetic foot) would be offered at the camp, he said. If the eyes were found to be affected, free laser treatment would be provided for the poor in association with Aravind Eye Hospital. Those who attended the camp should pass on to others the importance of diabetes control, he said.
A walk along Race Course Road to emphasise fitness and an interactive session on the disease would be held on November 14, the World Diabetes Day.