CHENNAI: World Diabetes Day on Tuesday will focus on inequities in the delivery of appropriate care to diabetics across the world.

More than 200 million people worldwide have diabetes (according to World Health Organisation and International Diabetes Federation), but many of them do not receive the care that they need. This year's campaign of the lnternational Diabetes Federation focuses on diabetes in the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.

The 2006 campaign, titled `Diabetes Care for Everyone', will promote providing disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups with appropriate diabetes care, prevention and education. M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and Diabetes Research joint director Vijay Viswanathan stresses the importance of good feet care among diabetics. Presenting the results of a study conducted at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, the Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai and the Diabetes Research Centre, Chennai, he said 65 per cent of the patients (in a sample size of over 1,000) did not follow any foot care practice. From basic cleanliness to choosing the choice of right footwear, a lot needed to go into foot care, he added.

Jayshree Ravindran, Founder and Executive Director of Ability Foundation, said, disability was not the end of everything. "The media should be more sensitive to such issues."

Trustees of Dr. Madhaviamma Charitable Trust, established by professor M. Viswanathan, formed the Diabetes Amputation Support Fund to help patients cope with amputations.

In India, it is estimated that 50,000 patients have legs amputated every year.

Foot amputation is avoidable in 85% of cases, especially for diabetics, by following a good foot care routine like regular examination,wearing the right kind of footwear, good nail care and maintaining hygiene. Help is available from websites like www.savethefoot.com and toll free numbers like 1800-22-3242.

Apollo Hospitals has announced discounts on its preventive check-ups between November 14 and November 28. Patients can avail of a heart check for Rs.3,500 (originally Rs.4,950), diabetes evaluation for Rs.2,250 (Rs.3,150), the 64-slic scan for Rs.7,500 (Rs.9,945) and advanced heart check for Rs.12,500 (Rs.14,750). For more details, call 28296900.

Uma Eye Clinic in Anna Nagar has launched a month-long campaign to create awareness on the merits of a healthy lifestyle involving a balanced diet, exercise and periodic health check-up.

The clinic will hold free evaluation for diabetic eye diseases from November 14 to December 14. For registration or details, contact Uma Eye Clinic, 10th Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai-40 (Ph: 9840442288/26213670/

26263199).

Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre is conducting camps in the city's beaches and parks in the morning, and awareness walks by school children at Tambaram (MCC college), Chunampet and the Marina Beach on the day.

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