BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries must come together in combating diabetes, which has taken the shape of an epidemic, urged experts at a two-day annual conference held in New Delhi.

The conference was attended by leading endocrinologists and medical practitioners from the SAARC region.

“As per the International Diabetes Federation, the incidence of diabetes in South East Asian countries was found to be over 82 million in 2017 which is expected to grow to 151 million by the end of 2045,” said Prof (Col.) Surender Kumar, Chairman, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

He said, “There is a steady increase in the diabetic population owing to ignorance and sedentary lifestyle.”

As SAARC countries have the highest populations of those with diabetes, this conference enables exchange of key notes, progress and developments on improving the way Diabetes is managed currently, Prof Kumar added.

The high incidence of diabetes has led to a significant health burden in the Indian sub-continent. Lack of awareness and undiagnosed diabetes has paved way for an increase in various heart, kidney, eye and limb diseases, said Dr Sudhir Tripathi, Senior Consultant, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

“In India alone, 1 in 12 adults suffers from diabetes and over 11.2 lakh succumb to its complications. To combat this growing burden, the need of the hour is to bust myths and improve awareness on the need to manage diabetes better by adopting a healthy lifestyle and being aware”, said Dr Tripathi stated.