The Illness to Wellness Foundation organised a conference in New Delhi under the theme “Transforming Diabetes Care: Prevention, Early Action and a Healthier Future”, bringing together healthcare experts and researchers to highlight the importance of early detection, timely treatment and preventive healthcare in addressing the growing burden of diabetes.
The conference focused on strengthening access to affordable and continuous care, promoting evidence-based lifestyle interventions, leveraging technological innovations and encouraging greater public awareness to improve long-term health outcomes.
At the conference, Dr Subhash Wangnoo, Senior Consultant and Head, Apollo Centre for Obesity, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, in his address on diabetes prevention and management, “Transforming diabetes care is not simply about adding another drug, device or digital platform. It is about redesigning care so that the right intervention reaches the right person at the right time, in a way that fits their life. We must move beyond treating numbers to caring for people, taking into account their health risks, financial constraints and individual needs.”
Shashank R Joshi, Consultant Endocrinologist, Lilavati Hospital, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Joshi Clinic, Mumbai, addressing the gathering said, “Prevention and early detection must become the norm, not the exception. The habits children develop around food, physical activity and sleep can shape their health for decades. We need to bring preventive healthcare into our schools, families and communities, making healthy choices practical and sustainable. Tackling diabetes also requires affordable and accessible care, credible health information and coordinated action across stakeholders.”
Dr Bharati Kulkarni, Director, ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, highlighted the role of changing dietary and activity patterns in increasing diabetes risk. “Indians are particularly prone to obesity, diabetes and related complications, partly due to our body composition, including lower muscle mass. Over time, physical activity has declined and diets have become more obesogenic. Along with healthy eating and regular exercise, adequate sleep and stress management are equally important in reducing the risk of diabetes,” she said.
Speaking on how an active lifestyle and continued care can help people, Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, in his welcome address, said “We need to make prevention practical, early action easier and continuing care more humane. This means helping people move from awareness to timely diagnosis and treatment, while addressing barriers such as cost, distance and access to healthcare.”
For those living with diabetes, care must extend beyond medical consultations to include sustained support that fits into their everyday lives. Our collective effort must ensure that the right care reaches the right person at the right time, helping individuals and families look towards a healthier future with dignity, confidence and hope.”
In his concluding remarks, Prof Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, Former Director General, ICMR and Member, Governing Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, “Addressing diabetes requires a combination of early detection, preventive action and sustained community engagement. While advances in science and technology are helping us identify risks and complications earlier, lifestyle changes, physical activity and healthier food choices remain essential. We must combine scientific evidence with practical, community-based interventions and ensure that people have access to timely diagnosis and treatment.”
The conference featured two sessions addressing complementary aspects of diabetes prevention and management. The first session, “Diabetes and Multi-Organ Health: Technology, Innovation and Integrated Care,”moderated by Dr Rajesh Kesari, Member, National Executive Committee, RSSDI, brought together Dr Saurav Basu, Scientist-E, ICMR–National Institute for Research in Digital Health; Dr Sanjiv Saxena, Chairman, Department of Nephrology, PSRI Hospital, Delhi; Dr Ashutosh Shukla, Senior Director, Internal Medicine & Medical Advisor, Max Hospital, Gurgaon, and Medical Director, Prana Centre for Integrative Medicine; and Dr Anchal Gupta, Founder, NetramEye Foundation.
The second session “Transforming Diabetes Prevention and Management: Healthy Living, Smart Nutrition and Early Action,” was moderated by Dr Shabana Parveen, Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics Department, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram.