The novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) is extremely risky for the patients having uncontrolled diabetes which accounts for high mortality of these patients when affected by Covid-19. The authorities at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh here are of the view that under the prevailing conditions of Covid-19 pandemic the diabetes patients should keep their sugar level under control by taking extra precautions.
The Director of AIIMS Rishikesh Ravikant said that the spread of coronavirus infection can have serious consequences in diabetes patients. “The reason is that in patients with diabetes, immunity is minimal compared to others. Due to excess sugar in the blood, chances of survival of the virus in the body increases. Therefore, diabetes patients will have to take special precaution to keep their blood sugar under control. We have to be serious about how to control diabetes during the Corona period,’’ he said.
The AIIMS authorities reveal that out of 22 patients of Covid-19 admitted in the Corona ward of the institute five are suffering from diabetes.
The Head Division of diabetes and metabolism, AIIMS Rishikesh, Dr Ravi Kant said that India has a very high number of diabetes patients. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of diabetes patients in India was seven crores in 2019 and this number is increasing at a very rapid rate.
He added that in view of the spread of coronavirus infection and its serious consequences in diabetes patients, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued some guidelines for diabetes patients. “The diabetes patients should avoid going to crowded places and take care of their cleanliness. They should exercise regularly, take nutritious food, vegetables, soya beans, lentils and beans and drink plenty of water.
The diabetes patients should keep sugar measuring strips and check blood sugar level at regular intervals. They should be in regular contact with their doctors,’’ he said.