Diabetes foundation announces S Asia unit

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) today announced the launch of its South Asia regional office at the SL Raheja Hospital in Mahim. Chief Executive Officer of the hospital Ann Keeling said India was chosen as a centre due to its growing recognition as an epicentre of diabetes in the world.

“According to available data with IDF and WHO,India has 50.8 million Indians diagnosed with diabetes,and 40 million with impaired glucose tolerance,which means they are at high risk,”said Keeling. Currently,one in eight Indians suffer from diabetes,which WHO estimates costs the Indian economy US$ 23 billion every year. She added that 3.8 million die of diabetes annually in India-a figure considerably more than HIV casualties.

“Diabetes is a silent killer,and it is important that policy makers acknowledge this in growing economies like India and China,”said Keeling. She also pointed out that contrary to trends in western countries,the Indian population was at risk in its most productive years.”

Where Caucasians develop the disease at an average age of post 60,in the South Asian population,trends show people succumbing between their 30s-50s,”said Keeling.