The Hindu 15.11.2010
Govt committed to making Delhi diabetes-free: Sheila
Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Sunday said her government was committed to making Delhi a diabetes-free Capital.
Speaking at the launch of an urban slum health check-up scheme for diabetes and blood pressure at Baba Ramdev Park on Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Ms. Dikshit said there was an urgent need for a comprehensive and focused plan for diabetes awareness and care in the city.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Delhi Health Minister Prof. Kiran Walia were also present on the occasion.
Ms. Dikshit said India leads the list of top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes. At present about 58 million adults in the country suffer from diabetes and this is expected to rise to nearly 87 million by 2030. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has been showing a rising trend in this country in the past two decades, he added.
The Chief Minister said the problems of diabetes in this country has taken alarming proportions in the urban population particularly metros such as Delhi. Every fourth adult person in Delhi is already diabetic or diabetes prone.
Also, about a fourth of Indian diabetic patients have kidney complications and about a fifth of them have heart, eye or nerve complications each leading to heart attacks, blindness and leg amputations, she added.
Stating that the urban slum health check-up scheme for diabetes and blood pressure will help to provide better access for diabetes care at government hospitals.
It would also provide healthier and more productive life to the people including pregnant women and future generation.
She exhorted every citizen of Delhi to join diabetes campaign for awareness, risk assessment and prevention for healthier and better tomorrow.
