College students create awareness on diabetes
College is about pushing the boundaries and doing a little more than what comes within the curriculum. The biochemistry students of Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women obviously believe that.
On October 13, JBAS college conducted a workshop on Adolescent Diabetes, as part of an initiative on the part of the Government Royapettah Hospital to take the message of diabetes awareness and prevention. K.Rajendran, superintendent, Government Royap
ettah Hospital, and co-chairman, Diabetes Association of India- Southern chapter, and Pushpa Masiwal, co-ordinator, Diabetes Association, GRH, later provided basic training to some of the biochemistry students.
The student volunteers were provided with gadgets to detect urinary glucose, a glucometer to check blood glucose, and BP apparatus to measure hypertension by GRH. They were also taught simple measurements for Body Mass Index. For 10 days after the workshop the students conducted a camp within the premises testing more than 1000 students for diabetes and hyper tension.
Those detected to be diabetic were referred for specialised medical treatment and other students found to be obese and with all other lifestyle-related risk factors were counselled to prevent or postpone the onset of disease.
A poster competition on the subject was also held and prizes were given away during the valedictory programme held on October 24.
Dr. Rajendran said the testing of basic glucose levels and blood pressure was a very simple process using the implements available currently.
Dr. Rajendran added that without the involvement of students, it would be impossible to take the message of prevention or effect any lifestyle change in a key segment of the population – youth and adolescents.
He added that the hospital has roped in a number of colleges to impart the same training to students so that they can spread the information among their friends and family.
RAMYA KANNAN
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