On the National Doctor’s Day, the Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) initiated an ambitious drive ‘Defeat Diabetes Campaign’ (DDC) to increase awareness about diabetes among general public.
In this initiative, over next 100 days, 10,000 doctors from across India will be participating as ambassadors of health. Dr Sunil Kumar Kota, Consultant Endocrinologist from the Diabetes & Endocare Clinic, Brahmapur is spearheading the campaign from Odisha.
Dr Kota has formed a group of 256 doctors from all the districts of Odisha. On the inaugural day, MP Chandra Sekhar Sahu, DIG Southern Range Satyabrata Bhoi, Collector Ganjam Vijay A Kulange and MLA Bikram Panda underwent testing for blood sugar and wished for a smooth conduct of the drive. Notably, India has the dubious distinction of being the ‘Diabetes Capital’ of the world. Diabetes being a silent killer is responsible for occurrence of heart and kidney disease. Infact during these Covid times, people with diabetes are not only prone to contract illness, but also they are more prone to develop severe form of Covid-19 requiring hospitalisation and oxygen therapy, Dr Kota said.
The post discharge course is also more complicated with increased occurrence of fungal illnesses, blood clotting, lung disorders and delayed long term recovery in patients with diabetes.
In fact, as per Bloomberg journal of technology, worldwide, there is 30% increased risk of diabetes in subsequent six months, among people who got cured from Covid-19. Everyone above the age 40 years should undergo at least annual blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid measurement to catch these disorders early followed by timely lifestyle modification and treatment if needed, he advised