Sensitising students about diabetes

The School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad (UoH) organised a lecture for its students titled “Diabetes-the Global Scenario – Past, Present, and Future, and its Implications for India”.

The event was held ahead of ‘World Diabetes Day’ in which Professor KM Venkat Narayan, Director, Emory Global Diabetes Research Centre; OC Hubert, Chair of Global Health and Epidemiology and Professor of Medicine at Emory University (Atlanta, GA, USA) addressed the gathering at the CV Raman Auditorium at the campus.

Prof Narayan informed about the disease, which is a major problem throughout the world. He also compared diabetes in India before and after Independence and indicated that there is a drastic increase in the number of cases in the present population.

The professor explained that diabetes is the most common non-communicable disease that is spreading at a fast rate globally. He said that the estimated number of adults with diabetes in 2007 was 246 million. “Upto 80 per cent of these live in developing countries and the largest numbers on the Indian subcontinent and in China,” he said.

“Approximately 85 to 95 per cent of all cases are type 2 diabetes and the worldwide explosion of this disorder is a major health care burden,” he added. “India has 41 million diabetics and this number is expected to increase to 70 million by 2025. This is likely to be due to unprecedented rates of urbanisation, which results in environmental and lifestyle changes,” said Prof Narayan.

Earlier Prof. Geeta K Vemuganti, Dean, School of Medical Sciences welcomed the gathering. Dr BR Shamanna, faculty at School of Medical Sciences introduced the speaker while Dr Anitha C T proposed vote of thanks. Prof Vipin Srivastava, Pro-Vice-Chancellor presided over the lecture.