The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Hundreds take a pledge to fight diabetes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 15, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Hundreds take a pledge to fight diabetes

Staff Reporter

Children and adults walk to spread awareness

– Photo: K. Gopinathan

For a cause: Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph, judges, doctors, sportspersons and schoolchildren participating in ‘Diabetes Walk’ organised as part of World Diabetes Day at Cubbon Park in Bangalore on Wednesday.

BANGALORE: The first ever World Diabetes Day with a theme on “Unite for Diabetes” observed on Wednesday as mandated by the United Nations saw hundreds of people joining the Diabetes Walk here at Cubbon Park to show solidarity in the fight against the disorder.

The event highlighted the rising prevalence of diabetes in India and emphasised the importance of early diagnosis to reduce many complications associated with the disease to save lives.

Flagged off by Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph, and Melvin Oscar D’ Souza, managing director of Novo Nordisk, the walk saw children and adults uniting for a cause and pledging to fight the condition through awareness campaigns at various levels.

Mr. Cyriac Joseph said: “India is considered diabetes capital of world with its diabetic population of 41 million as estimated in 2007 and is expected to rise to 80 million within just one generation.”

With one person dying every 10 seconds from diabetes complications, this World Diabetes Day walk was a step to raise the bar in the fight against diabetes, he said.

It was vital that people came together to take serious cognizance of the ills associated with diabetes neglect and to associate with activities that would further an understanding of better diabetes management.

A release said: “This walk symbolically acknowledged the 246 million people estimated to live with diabetes worldwide. It highlighted the importance of joining forces to increase awareness about diabetes and emphasised the shared responsibility in improving the lives of people with diabetes.”

Novo Nordisk, which organised the walk in Bangalore, initiated similar Diabetes Walk in 160 locations across India on Wednesday to mark the World Diabetes Day. As part of the awareness programme, various screening camps, patient education programmes and medical advocacy would be organised.

In Bangalore, Novo Nordisk had partnered with the Apollo Hospital Group, and supported by Rotary International Bangalore District, Abbott India, Johnson & Johnson and Merisant.

Ramkrishnappa, Director of Horticulture; M. Chandrakumar, Managing Committee Member, Jaivik Krishik Society, Bangalore; and Shivaleela, Head of Department, Bakery Farming Unit, University of Agriculture, Hebbal, were present.

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