Here is the sugar pill…

Dr Abhay Mutha,consultant diabetologist,Ruby Hall Clinic,says,“The trend we have witnessed in recent years is the alarming number of undiagnosed cases of diabetes in the general population. Since most people do not believe in routine health check-ups,they remain unaware of their condition and do not take appropriate care and treatment. If left unchecked,diabetes can cause heart disease,blindness and other serious complications.”

While activities include a diabetes awareness and mega exhibition which will be organised on November 14 at Yashvantrao Chavan Natyagruha,Kothrud,the theme for this year is “Change your lifestyle to prevent diabetes” and it will witness the participation of over 1,000 patients. Says Dr Yogesh Kadam,consultant diabetologist,Jehangir Hospital,“Diabetes can be prevented. For one known patient of diabetes,there is one undiagnosed and one pre-diabetic individual. These people need to be identified and as part of the awareness campaign,a programme has been organised by Poona Diabetes Center at Nehru Memorial Hall,Camp on November 14.” Patient education programmes provide a wonderful opportunity for participants to learn about self-care for diabetes management. “These also serve as an excellent platform to give and receive emotional support in addition to exchanging information,” says Kadam.

He further adds,“Families of diabetics must be involved with what the patient is going through. It has been noticed that individuals who have family support are more likely to keep blood sugar levels and weight under long-term control.” Diabetes detection camps will be held across the city to help diabetics cope more effectively as a result of early intervention. Continuing Medical Education Programs will be conducted for city doctors to give them an overview of the latest studies,trends and technology in diabetes management.

Aventis Pharma Limited (sanofi-aventis Group),has also launched a nation-wide campaign ahead of World Diabetes Day that will educate diabetes patients and their families to ‘Take Control’ of the disease. This year’s campaign is initiated under the International Diabetes Federation’s slogan ‘Let’s take control of diabetes. Now.’ The objective is to improve patient education to ensure that they understand the complications associated with avoiding or delaying treatment as well as the need to control the disease by maintaining their Glycoslated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels under 7. As one of the official partners of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)’s World Diabetes Day campaign,sanofi-aventis is aligning its nation-wide programme to address the growing need for diabetes education and prevention. The campaign covers over 600 activities ranging from detection drives,patient education programmes,HbA1c camps,diabetes walks and doctor meetings. As part of the campaign in Pune,various initiatives have been planned across the city to reinforce the importance of regular health check-ups,diet,exercise and the need for timely medical intervention. A digital campaign called ‘Doing More Together’,where every click on http://www.balloons4diabetes.in will contribute towards generating awareness,is aimed at encouraging more and more people to go to the website and pledge their support.