50 lakh suffer from diabetes

Prof AK Azad Khan, Secretary General of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, speaks at a press conference at the BIRDEM Hospital in the city yesterday on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day today. PHOTO: STAR

"Creation of awareness and early detection of diabetes is of paramount importance to prevent this perennial disease," said Prof A K Azad Khan, secretary general of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh which organised the conference at the BIRDEM hospital.

Only 15 to 20 percent of the diabetic patients have so far been brought under diabetic care coverage, he said while presenting a statistics on the disease.

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Prof Azad said at present there are around 18 crore of diabetic patients all over the world, six times higher than 3 crore in 1985.

It is apprehended that the number will rise up to 30 crore by the year 2025 if the disease is allowed to increase at the present rate, he added.

Prof Azad said deficit of a hormone called insulin in human body and the consequent rise of glucose in blood is called diabetes.

"Urbanisation, fast food culture, lack of physical exercise, overweight, fat, and smoking are some of the major causes that eventually result in diabetes," he added.

"More intake of calorie means more prospect of diabetes," said Prof A R Khan, chief consultant physician of BIRDEM and treasurer of the association.

Kidney is the foremost human organ that suffers complications or become damaged because of diabetes, he said.

"Uncontrolled diabetes accounts for 35 percent of total renal failure or damage each year in the country," Prof Khan added.

He said out of 18 crore diabetic patients across the world, kidneys of six crore are affected by diabetes.

In addition to BIRDEM diabetic care, 17 centres of National Healthcare Network and 48 affiliated associations provide diabetes care across the country.

The affiliated associations take care of four lakh diabetic patients.

There are 3 lakh diabetic patients registered with the BIRDEM which spent more than Tk 22 crore to distribute insulin and other medicine free of cost in fiscal 2001-02.

This year the slogan of World Diabetes Day is "Diabetes could cost your kidneys: Act now."

To mark the day, the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh will bring out a procession from Shishu Academy to BIRDEM, organise a children's painting competition and publish special supplement in newspapers.

Novo Nordisk, a diabetes care company, will also hold rally, distribute posters and leaflets, organise lecture for patients, and donate insulin to observe the day.