One in 8 Indian adults either has or is at high-risk of diabetes. This new statistic was announced by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Chief Executive Officer Ann Keeling at the inauguration of IDF’s new regional office at S.L. Raheja Hospital, a Fortis Associate.
According to the IDF Diabetes Atlas 4th edition, India has the second highest number of people with diabetes at 50.8 million adults. In addition to this, 40 million Indians have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), which means they are at high-risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“It is important to keep in mind that India’s current diabetes figures are based on studies conducted several years ago,” Ms Keeling said at a media briefing at Raheja Hospital to mark World Diabetes Day that falls on November 14.
“When results from a new nationally-representative diabetes study in India are published in 2011, we expect a rapid rise in the figures; similar to what was seen in China after a new study published in March this year took the total number of people with diabetes in the country from 43.2 million to the current 92.4 million, making it the country with the highest number of people with diabetes in the world,” she added.
There is mounting evidence showing diabetes and its complications are threatening India’s economic progress and development. The World Health Organization predicts diabetes and cardiovascular disease drains the Indian economy of US$23 billion each year in lost national income.
“Stellar economic growth in countries such as China and India can come with a deadly price tag, lifestyle-related risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancers and other non-communicable disease (NCDs),” said Ms Keeling.
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“These figures are an eye-opener and a wake-up call to governments and healthcare systems around the world. In order to protect future generations and ensure sustained economic success, countries must embrace development models that include plans for long-term public health.”
The growing burden of diabetes in India
Diabetes is no longer merely a lifestyle disease or one that usually affects only the rich and elderly. Due to sedentary lifestyles, mass urbanization and changing diets, diabetes is affecting people at a younger age.
Some key diabetes facts underlining the serious impact of diabetes in India
- Due to South Asian ethnicity, Indians are genetically predisposed to diabetes. Therefore, people with type 2 diabetes should not be blamed for their condition.
- Diabetes affects Indians a decade earlier than Europeans.
- The prevalence of diabetes in urban areas is twice as high as rural areas
- There are nearly 100,000 children with type 1 diabetes in India. Type 1 or juvenile diabetes is an auto-immune disease that cannot be prevented.
- New research in Pune points to the maternal origins of diabetes. Children of malnourished mothers have a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life.
- An estimated 4 million women in India have gestational diabetes, which affects women during pregnancy. Babies born to women with gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
“Increasingly, diabetes is affecting breadwinners of families who are key contributors to the economy. The situation is exacerbated by the fact very few Indians are insured against diabetes. Therefore, payments for treatment and medication are usually made from personal savings or by taking loans and incurring debt,” said Ms Keeling.
India’s crucial role in emerging global political will to combat diabetes
In May 2010, India co-sponsored UN Resolution 64/265 to hold a UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in September 2011.
A similar UN summit on HIV/AIDS in 2001 proved to be a turning point in the disease, resulting in the establishment of a special body UNAIDS, global funding and a strong international movement against the disease.
“The upcoming UN NCD Summit is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get diabetes and NCDs on the global health and development agenda. India, as one of the epicentres of the diabetes epidemic, needs to take a leadership role in the lead up to the Summit,” said Ms Keeling.
IDF is coordinating a programme of work – called the Diabetes Roadmap - that will produce and package arguments, evidence and solution to ensure that the UN Summit translates into real change for the millions of people with diabetes worldwide. On World Diabetes Day, IDF is launching A Call to Action on Diabetes – the first key activity from the Diabetes Roadmap programme – which will be the central advocacy tool for the global diabetes community in the lead up to the UN Summit.
“The global diabetes community must now move on from saying we have a problem to saying we know how to turn this epidemic around. We know what to do – we have the evidence, we have the cost-effective solutions, we have the tools, we have the skills. And now, we are slowly seeing global political will for action,” said Ms Keeling.
IDF’s new South East Asia regional office at S.L. Raheja Hospital/World Diabetes Day in India
IDF’s new regional office for South East Asia has been established in S.L. Raheja Hospital, a Fortis Associate, in Mumbai. IDF’s member association, the Diabetic Association of India, will co-ordinate diabetes awareness, education and prevention activities in the country.
S.L. Raheja (A Fortis Associate) Hospital, on behalf of the Diabetes Association of India, has planned a week-long series of activities to mark World Diabetes Day in Mumbai and other Fortis hospitals in various parts of the country. These include events for children with diabetes such as a drawing competition, quiz, talent show and a selection of education seminars for health professionals. The week will culminate on 20 November with a grand panel for general practitioners on the theme of ‘Diabetes-Renewing the crusade'.
“World Diabetes Day is a great opportunity for Indians to unite for diabetes and throw their support behind the upcoming UN Summit on NCDs in Sept 2011,” said Ms Keeling.
“The time to act for diabetes is now.”