By Dr. Smita Dhadge

World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day celebration was started in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organisation in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. It is celebrated every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.

Every year, the World Diabetes Day campaign focuses on a dedicated theme that runs for the whole year. The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-22 is Access to Diabetes Care – If Not Now, When? A century after its discovery, Insulin & other fundamental components of diabetes care remain beyond the reach of millions who need them. Without treatment or sufficient support, people with diabetes are at risk of serious & life threatening complications like heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness or lower limb amputation.

The best approach to dealing with any complication is preventing it in the first place by adopting healthier habits. If complications have already started, it is not too late to control them & keep them from worsening. Not all people with diabetes develop complications.

Easy ways to reduce risk of complications include:

• Maintaining healthy weight
• Controlling blood pressure & cholesterol
• Regular exercise
• Quitting smoking
• Have healthy & balanced diet
• Getting regular annual checkup which include lab tests (hemogram, HbA1c, S. Creatinine, Urine routine, Urine microalbumin & lipids), fundoscopy to rule out diabetic retinopathy, Foot checkup & ECG

Along with regular screening & treatment, diabetes education is immensely important. Diabetes SelfManagement Education and Support (DSMES) services help people with diabetes learn how to take the best care of themselves. A health care team includes doctors, dietician, diabetes educators, nurses, physiotherapist to help the patient with diabetes to achieve effective & efficient self care.

It is immensely important to include the family members & care givers of the patient into diabetes management so that healthy lifestyle can be adopted in a supportive environment. So let’s put our hands together for easy & efficient ‘Access to Diabetes Care’!!

Dr. Smita Dhadge

Full Time Junior Consultant, Diabetology