Diabetes is one of the major health and development challenges of the 21st century. There are currently 371 million people living with diabetes and another 280 million are at high risk of developing the disease. Half a billion people are expected to be living with diabetes by 2030. Diabetes and its complications are largely preventable and there are proven, affordable interventions available. Everyone is concerned and everyone has a role to play in helping to turn the tide of diabetes to protect our future.

In simple words, Diabetes is an illness which occurs due to the problem in production and supply of insulin in the body. It is a curse of our modern day lifestyle wherein physical activity is largely absent and food habits have gone awry. Diet, food and proper exercises do help in controlling Diabetes, but there is no permanent cure for Diabetes.

World Diabetes day is a call to all those who are responsible for Diabetes care and can contribute to control it. For a diabetic patient, this is a message for empowerment education so that he/she can adopt preventive measures by way of food habits and regular exercise to keep the disease under control.

For Doctors or healthcare professionals this is an alert to improve knowledge so that proper cure can be discovered. For government, it is a time to implement proper policies for prevention of diabetes. And for general public this is a call to be alert against Diabetes and understand the serious impact of diabetes.

There are lots and lots of activities organized on this day. These activities includes Radio and Television Programs, Poster Awareness Campaigns, Social Exhibitions, Lightings at monuments and homes, Press Conferences, Diabetes Workshops, Screening of Documentaries films on Diabetes, Public Meeting to distribute information to general public, Sports events or Cycle Racing, Special events or activities for children and Newspaper or Magazine Articles.

As part of its CSR, Health Vistas a major reseller in health care products in Udaipur in association with Ypsomed Group, is organising a routine blood sugar check up event at Fateh Sagar Pal on 17 Nov 2013 from 6:30 AM to 9 AM at a subsidised fee of Rs 20/- only per test. First 50 Attendees will get it FREE!

By: Lt Col (Retd) Sirajuddin