New Delhi: On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested taking comprehensive measures to prevent this disease. WHO focuses on educating all health professionals and the public about the causes and prevention of diabetes and making better and more affordable treatment available.
According to World Health Organization’s Southeast Asia Regional Director, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal, about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes and 1.5 million people die of this disease every year.
In Southeast Asia, 96 million people have diabetes, another 96 million are pre-diabetic, and at least 6,00,000 people die from the disease every year. If some urgent measures are not taken, by 2045, the number of patients will increase by 68 percent in the region, said Dr. Khetrapal. According to her, if not detected in the early stages or not managed properly, the disease can lead to death by damaging the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
Regarding type-2 diabetes, Dr. Khetrapal said that it can be controlled by regular physical exercise or hard work and healthy eating and by avoiding tobacco and alcohol. Once type 2 diabetes has developed, it should be managed with medication, blood pressure and lipid (fatty acid) control, and a healthy lifestyle. Type 1 diabetes usually affects children and adolescents. 250,000 children and adolescents suffer from this disease in the Southeast Asian region. Even if it is not currently diagnosed, it can be controlled. To save the lives of those suffering from both types of this disease, affordable medical treatment such as insulin should be provided, said Dr. Khetrapal.