In India 1.75 lakh died due to diabetes in 2005, the number will touch 2.36 lakh in 2015. Azad added that the WHO and UNO has taken note of the gravity of diabetes and hypertension. The Govt. of India has decided to screen around 5 crore persons before September, 2011 when UNO General Assembly will hold a special session to discuss means and measures to control these diseases. The Govt. of India has launched a pilot project costing Rs. 1230 crores to control cancer, diabetes, heart diseases and strokes in hundred Districts of 21 States and urban slums under 33 cities. He called upon all diabetic persons to not to take it lightly.
A large number of slum dwellers from various localities on Tuesday gathered at Talkatora Stadium to become witness to launch of a campaign against diabetes and hypertension. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Delhi Health Minister Dr. A.K. Walia were also present on the occasion.
Mr Azad announced that mass screening programme will cover slum clusters in Delhi to identify persons affected with diabetes and hypertension which are silent killers as these results in number of complex complications due to occurrence of retinopathy, cataract, nephropathy, neuropathy, hearth diseases, paralysis, gangrene, ulcers and fungal infections. He called upon all slum dwellers to get themselves ready for free screening in camps to be organized close to their residence.
The screening will be conducted for all persons above the age of 30 years and all pregnant women irrespective of their age. The early detection will go a long way in curbing diabetes and hypertension which become cause of large number of deaths.
It is generally not considered the primary cause of death though the complications can result in death and it can turn into a fatal disease at later stage. Mr Azad further stated that a nationwide project will be launch next year to root out such diseases. Under the pilot project, a cardiac care unit at cost of Rs.1.5 crore will be established at hundred district hospital.
Non-communicable diseases at hundred district hospitals and 700 other places for diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and strokes. Each district hospital will be provided Rs.50 thousand for medicines. Screening of diabetes and high blood pressure above 30 years and all pregnant women at 20000 sub centres will be conducted. Further, home based care will be provided for bedridden cases in hundred districts. Support will be provided for contractual manpower and equipment. The gluco-metres for the purpose of diabetes screening are been provided by the Govt. of India. 120 gluco-metres and 6 lakh strips have been provided to Delhi Govt. He called upon all concerned persons to extend their cooperation to this programme to ensure a healthy nation. The Govt. of India will also arrange telemedicine service for affected persons under the next phase. For this purpose, electronic media will be extensively involved.
Mrs Dikshit stated that Delhi Govt. has been organizing special diabetes clinics in all its 31 hospitals on Mondays and Wednesdays. She described diabetes and high blood pressure as silent killers. Often, diagnosis of these two conditions is made after all complications of these conditions have developed. The persons found to be affected with these diseases will be treated and referred to hospitals for further guidance and treatment.
Dr. A K Walia stated that slums are being affected with these diseases. Earlier diabetes used to affect only wealthy persons but now it is affecting the weaker sections of the society. It is essential to go for screening to assess the degree and gravity of such diseases to effectively manage