Illness to Wellness Foundation hosts national conference ahead of World Diabetes Day 2025

India is standing on the brink of a metabolic health crisis, warned leading public health experts at the Illness to Wellness Awareness Conference on “Prevention and Management of Diabetes”, organised by the Illness to Wellness Foundation in New Delhi ahead of World Diabetes Day 2025. The conference brought together policymakers, doctors, and health advocates, who urged for collective efforts in early detection, lifestyle modification, and accessible diabetes care to tackle the country’s growing epidemic.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and Chairperson, Governing Council of the Foundation, said that nearly 90 million adults in India are diabetic, making the nation the second-largest diabetic population globally. He emphasised that early screening and strict adherence to treatment are crucial, adding that the responsibility lies equally with central and state governments.

 “Our health system must focus on systematic screening and preventive care for non-communicable diseases like diabetes,” he said.

Welcoming the gathering, Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council of the Foundation, reminded the audience that prevention is the real foundation of health. He said that India’s ancient wellness practices—like yoga, Surya Namaskar, and Pranayama—hold the key to improving insulin sensitivity and maintaining metabolic balance. “Diabetes can be delayed, controlled, or even prevented through small but consistent lifestyle choices. Our mission is to inspire people to take charge of their health through holistic living,” he added.

Bringing a strong medical perspective to the discussion, Padma Shri Dr. Anoop Misra, Chairman, Fortis C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases & Endocrinology, highlighted that diabetes management in India needs a more holistic approach. “For too long, we have focused only on blood sugar levels.

 Diabetes management must also include control of fat, cholesterol, and muscle strength. Especially for women, strength training is crucial—walking alone is not enough,” he said, stressing the need for a combination of cardio, resistance, and muscle exercises.

Adding to this, Dr. (Prof.) Ashok Kumar, Director, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences & Dr. RML Hospital, drew attention to the rising cases of gestational diabetes among Indian women. 

“There is a direct link between blood sugar levels and pregnancy outcomes. Diabetic mothers face higher risks of hypertension, delivery complications, and heart disease, while their children are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life. Awareness and lifestyle intervention must continue even after childbirth,” he explained.

Speaking on the widening gap in diabetes care access, Dr. Anuj Maheshwari, President Elect, Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), said that from 33 million diabetics in the 1990s, India now has over 100 million—a shocking twofold increase in just two decades. 

“Urbanisation, junk food, and sedentary lifestyles have created a public health time bomb. We need to strengthen research, policy, and monitoring systems to ensure diabetes care reaches every corner of the country,” he urged.

The conference also featured three panel discussions that explored diabetes across life stages and complications. The session on diabetes in children and adolescents, led by experts including Dr. Mudit Sabharwal and Dr. (Maj. Gen.) J.K. Bansal, highlighted the growing number of young patients and the need for school-based health interventions.

The discussion on diabetes in women, moderated by Dr. Shalini Jaggi, focused on the impact of hormonal changes, menopause, and gestational diabetes, with contributions from Dr. Pikee Saxena, Dr. Kamna Dutta, and Dr. Himika Chawla.

The final discussion, moderated by Dr. Rajesh Kesari, delved into the prevention and management of complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and neuropathy, with insights from Dr. Sanjiv Saxena, Dr. Dheeraj Kapoor, and Dr. Vinay Garodia.

Concluding the event, Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Co-Lead, FICCI Task Force on Quality & Viability in Healthcare and Founder & Director, Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services, said that diabetes is not just a medical issue but an economic and social one, placing immense burden on families and healthcare systems alike.

The conference ended with a strong call for preventive healthcare, equitable access, and lifestyle-driven wellness, urging every citizen to become an active participant in India’s fight against diabetes. 

The experts agreed that with early intervention, education, and policy support, India can reverse the rising tide of diabetes and move toward a healthier, more resilient future.