Woman Interrupted

She was in the city to participate in a national conference on gynae-endocrinology. Divakar said that among the emerging trends of population profiles and disorders in women in the country,the prevalence of obesity has increased from 10.6 per cent to 12.6 per cent. “While the problem of under-nutrition still exists in many parts of India,the additional burden of obesity due to a sedentary lifestyle and eating junk food food is alarming. There are several challenging tasks at hand with respect to women’s healthcare,the pendulum swinging from malnutrition to obesity indicate the urgent need for prevention,” she said.

Divakar pointed out that advancement of medical technology has resulting in early detection of gynaecology-related endocrine diseases such as diabetes,metabolic syndrome,thyroid problems,polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity-related health problems among women.

She added that aiming to curb the trend,FOGSI — the apex body for all obstetricians and gynaecologists in the country — has launched nationwide initiatives focusing on interventional and educational methods. It is sensitising the gynaecologist and obstetrician community on the need for examining the gynaecology-related endocrine diseases. “We need to have standard operations procedures in government and private institutions; identify new treatment techniques; introduce the latest advanced treatment and technology; set up speciality clinics to treat women and equip gynaecologists to examine such cases properly. All these are being facilitated by FOGSI,” said Dr Sanjay Gupte,former president of FOGSI.

The federation is following the ABCD approach wherein the focus will be on creating awareness about anaemia,building contraceptive choices,reducing the burden of cancer of the cervix and diabetes.

Divakar also said that another major mission is “helping mothers survive.” Listing the disturbing statistics,she said the total number of deliveries in India per year is pegged at 27 million. “Diabetes during pregnancy is five times more in India as compared to the West.

The figures are also staggering for deaths due to pregnancy related complications. While in the West,there are 10 deaths per lakh,the corresponding number in India is 212 deaths per lakh. Our mission is to tap and map every case of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and follow up with the patients,gicing them lifestyle advise to delay the onset of type-2 diabetes,” said Divakar.

“FOGSI,DIPSI and World Diabetic Foundation (WDF) are rolling out speciality courses to prepare clinicians to battle the tsunami of diabetes in India,” said Divakar.