The Indian Express 19.11.2013
BMC to set up mobile dispensaries in city for diabetics
Records show of the 1.5 lakh people screened at 300 kiosks here on
World Diabetes Day, a significant 13 per cent were prone to diabetes.
This is higher than the national average recorded at 8-12 per cent. To
address this, BMC will launch a renewed campaign to deal with
diabetes-prone and diabetic patients.
The three-pronged approach will include 55 diabetes dispensaries,
peripheral and tertiary hospitals and an additional force of mobile
centres to provide easy access for check up. “Based on the demand, the
mobile centres will increase. Right now we have requested for one centre
in every zone,” said BMC additional municipal commissioner Manisha
Mhaiskar. According to data provided by NGO Praja, the diabetic count in
the city’s public hospitals has increased from 23,844 in 2009 to 24,945
in 2013. However, cases recorded in private hospitals are not included
in this data.
Dr Saifuddin Bandukwala, a diabetologist, said, “Normal sugar
level ranges between 100-150. If it crosses 200, then diabetes control
measures are necessary.”
Currently, the screening done through a glucometer, is considered
an indicative test. “Diabetes prone people will now undergo another
test for confirmation,” said Mhaiskar.
