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35 million diagnosed with diabetes in India: official

Special Correspondent

The percentage has gone as high as 17 in metros

— Photo: R. Ragu

FOR A GOOD CAUSE: School students take out a global diabetes awareness walk from the Monroe statue to the State Guesthouse on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: There are at least 35 million known diabetics in India and prevalence studies show that in metros the percentage has gone as high as 17, Health Secretary, V.K.Subburaj said on Tuesday, on the occasion of World Diabetes Day.

There were a large number of people, both in rural and urban areas, in the State, who have not even checked themselves. With the problem of this magnitude, it was essential for multiple partners to collaborate and co-operate in order to handle the disease and prevent its rapid growth.

Health camps

The Government, through its `Varumun Kappom' scheme, soon to be launched by the Chief Minister will conduct over 9,000 health camps in the State as a measure to prevent lifestyle diseases.

Untreated, diabetes leads to complications such as kidney failure, heart attacks, retinopathy and neuropathy, Mr.Subburaj said, reemphasising the need for care, sustained and individualised. He was participating in a function organised jointly by the Tamil Nadu Health Services Project, Lions Club, Diabetes Exnora and Diabetes Association of India -Southern Chapter at Meenakshi College here, to observe diabetes day.

He also honoured S.N.Harinarayanan, member, Lions Club 324 A-1, who had conducted a number of diabetes and retinopathy screening camps in Chennai.

L.Shanthkumar, Lions District 324 A-1 governor released a handbook on diabetes and handed over the first copy to Mr.Subburaj. Commending the club and its volunteers, he said awareness of the disease should be on the scale of awareness of HIV/AIDS or oral polio vaccine, in order to control its rampant growth.

U.Muhammad, Chairman, DAI-SC, outlined the efforts taken by the Government, jointly with the association to handle diabetes over the year.

From providing insulin free of cost to the poor and disadvantaged to conducting free check-up camps, various organisations in the State had taken up an activist role in the field of diabetes, he added.

T.Govindaswamy, Vice District governor and Exnora member, D.Mohanambal, deputy director, TNHSP, K.S.Lakshmi, Meenakshi College principal spoke.

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