The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Camps, lectures and walks mark Diabetes Day

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Camps, lectures and walks mark Diabetes Day

Staff Reporter

Amputees walk to create awareness at Nageswara Rao Park

STILL VERY STRONG: Amputees walk around Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore on the occasion of World Diabetes Day on Tuesday. — Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: Krishna Naidu, 62, was first diagnosed as diabetic 30 years ago. "I did not care and continued with my usual ways," he says. His right leg was amputated below the knee four years ago and he suffers from a wound in his other foot that refuses to heal. He still walks without footwear. Paul Raj Nadar, 67, was diagnosed as diabetic 20 years ago and lost his left leg two years ago. He has lost two toes in his right foot and a festering wound is worrying him now.

The amputees, who walked to create awareness, at Nageswara Rao Park in Mylapore were above 50. Vijay Viswanathan, Joint Director of M.V. Hospital for Diabetes and Diabetes Research Centre, Royapuram, who organised the walk, said the aim was to create awareness. The walkers who limped along the short, cobbled pathway wore T-shirts that read: "We are still very strong." The hospital staff accompanied the amputees and their relatives.

On `World Diabetes Day' observed on Tuesday, Government hospitals organised screening camps and lectures. Government Stanley Hospital held an education programme on the injection of insulin and pamphlets were distributed.

Kilpauk Medical College held a diet exhibition, awareness programme for patient relatives and hospital staff. Dr. Mohan's Diabetes speciality centre, and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Gopalapuram, organised a series of blood sugar screening camps in the city from 6 a.m. at places such as Marina Beach, Ice House, Besant Nagar, T. Nagar, Anna Nagar and Tambaram and Chunampet in Kancheepuram covering over 1,300 persons.

The event aimed at drawing public attention to the condition and also focus on diabetes education, prevention and care, Dr.V. Mohan said.

Other events included a diabetes awareness walk flagged off by the Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, quiz contest, puppet show and Yoga demonstration clinic.

Sri Ramachandra Hospital at Alwarpet has organised a diabetes camp at concession. The programme will begin on Friday and continue till November 25.

The screening will include blood and urine tests, ECG and consultation by a diabetologist. The tests will be done from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For registration contact: 24984949 or 24662777 or 93828 49613.

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