Diabetes epidemic is growing, warns WHO

Before the World Diabetes Day on Saturday, the World Health Organisation says the diabetes epidemic is growing in many countries.

Diabetes is a global epidemic which kills one person every six seconds and over 5 million every year.

To put the spotlight on the urgent need to act against diabetes, WHO has selected diabetes as the theme for the World Health Day 2016.

WHO South-East Asia Region, that includes Bangladesh, is home to an estimated 91 million people affected by diabetes.

Approximately half of them go undiagnosed, the UN agency says.

Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2011 found one in nine people aged 35 and above diabetic.

Diabetes weakens immune system and makes people prone to heart disease, kidney failure and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS, among others, leading to premature deaths.

The number of people with diabetes is projected to increase alarmingly from 457 million in 2014 to 592 million by 2035, if “we do not act now to arrest this trend,” Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the South-East Asia Regional Director, said.

It can be prevented and treated.

The Day has been observed since 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation, and WHO is focusing on “Healthy Living and Diabetes” as the theme for 2014 to 2016, and the importance of prevention in diabetes.

WHO suggests multisectoral policies for health promotion and strengthening national health systems for early detection and treatment of the disease.

These include training health workforce, developing treatment norms and increasing the availability of basic diagnostics and essential medicines at primary health care centres.

“We need to work collaboratively with governments, civil society, private sectors, schools, workplaces, media and other local partners.  We all have a role to play to ensure healthier environment for a healthy living,” said Dr Singh.

“However, the key role is of an individual to make lifelong healthy choices for a healthier future.

“Taking small steps like eating right, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can cut the risk of diabetes or delay its onset,” she said.