Colombo, 26 November (IANS). In South-East Asia (which includes India), more than 4.82 lakh people die every year due to diabetes. Giving this information on Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) appealed to increase measures to prevent and control this problem of blood sugar.
Diabetes is a serious global health problem. This can cause problems like blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke.
WHO said countries in South-East Asia have made significant progress in improving services to treat diabetes.
By June 2024, more than 6 crore people have come on the prescribed protocol for the treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure. This figure is expected to reach 10 crore by 2025.
Despite this, many challenges remain. More than 2.6 lakh children and adolescents suffering from type-1 diabetes are not getting adequate facilities for insulin and monitoring. Besides, the incidence of type-2 diabetes is also increasing among the youth.
“Provided timely access to diabetes treatment can save lives,” said Saima Wajed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia.
He talked about making services equal, comprehensive, accessible and affordable. Saima Wazed made the statement at the two-day regional meeting of “World Diabetes Day 2024” in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This year’s theme was: ‘Break Barriers, Bridge Gaps.’
Health experts and officials adopted the “Colombo Call to Action” to tackle the growing problem of diabetes. In this, an appeal was made to the member countries to work together, bring innovation, ensure treatment and make people aware.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his video message that “more than half of the 800 million people suffering from diabetes are not receiving treatment.” He stressed the need to intensify efforts to stop it, identify it at the right time and provide better treatment.
This United Nations agency suggested that primary health services be equipped with standard treatment procedures, essential medicines, quality testing equipment and skilled health workers.
Saima Wajed also said that “preventing diabetes is a shared responsibility of governments, health services and society.”
–IANS
AS/
