M. V. Hospital for Diabetes has launched a programme to screen people living in slums in north Chennai for diabetes and hypertension, and also to promote a healthy lifestyle among residents of the area.
Governor K. Rosaiah launched the “North Chennai Diabetes Control Programme” on the occasion of the hospital’s diamond jubilee celebrations on Friday.
“The programme will be conducted in two phases — one to cover all slums here and second to take up health promotion activities among residents. Blood tests will be conducted at their doorsteps,” Vijay Viswanathan, head and chief diabetologist of the hospital said.
This exercise will help identifying the risk factors for diabetes and hypertension among people living in slums of north Chennai, and provide appropriate counselling on healthy diet needed to prevent diabetes.
It will be carried out along with volunteers of the Indian Red Cross Society-Tamil Nadu and Madras School of Social Work.
“We are identifying common public places such as parks to go and sensitise residents of north Chennai on health for better living,” he added. The programme will be completed in three years and will cost at least Rs. 10 lakh, he said.
The Governor said it was important to sensitise people on the need for maintaining good health. Noting that obesity is prevalent in children too, he said that since obesity is the major contributing factor for diabetes, environmental factors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet pattern in children and adults should be checked.
Among others, S.N. Narasingan, dean of the hospital, S.M. Saidikot, president-elect, International Diabetes Federation, India and V. Mohan, chairman of Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre were present.
