On World Diabetes Day, Columbia Asia Hospitals, Pune Launches Support Group for Diabetes Patients

2024-04-06 08:48:26 Health and Fitness

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Over 69 million Indians are in the grip of diabetes, with the disease expected to spread to 101 million people by 2030
The support group will help patients deal with diabetes and manage their condition and prevent risks of complications
Pune, 14th November 2016: As we celebrate World Diabetes Day, Columbia Asia Hospitals, Pune today launched a Diabetes Support Group to bring all its diabetes patients on one platform and give them access to special management tools, including a diabetes monitoring app and a diabetes care programme, to help them better manage their conditions.
With 69.1 million cases of diabetes in India in 2015 with 1,027,911 annual deaths due to the condition, India is facing a huge diabetes epidemic. The number of diabetes patients is likely to rise to 101 million in India by 2030, according to estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Apart from promoting preventive measures such as adopting physically active lifestyles and weight management, it is equally important today to institute better diabetes management mechanisms to help the burgeoning diabetic population reduce risk of complications and early death.
?Diabetes is a serious condition which makes individuals more prone to heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, vision loss as well as amputations due to nerve damage. If not managed properly, over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves - causing chronic problems and early death?, says Dr. Arun Suradkar, Consultant Internal Medicine, Columbia Asia Hospital- Pune
These complications can be prevented by adopting right management strategies. Unfortunately, awareness about diabetes and its possible complications is very low in India and most people do not understand that uncontrolled diabetes can be a threat to their lives. This is what we want our patients to understand through this support group,? says Dr Ganesh Mhetras, Consultant Nephrology, Columbia Asia Hospital- Pune
The numbers of diabetes patients have dramatically risen in India in recent years, with the incidence doubling from 32 million in 2000 to 63 million in 2013. According to International Diabetes Federation, the prevalence of diabetes in adults (20-79 years of age) is as high as 8.7 per cent in India.
?The main purpose of the support group is to bring all the diabetic patients on the same platform, encourage them to take care of their diabetes and be a role model for others to follow. The support group will ensure that the patients use our special offerings to better manage their diabetes including a diabetes monitoring app and a diabetes care program,? added Dr. Prashant Kaduskar, Consultant Endocrinology, Columbia Asia Hospital- Pune
As a part of this group, the hospital we will organize regular activities for the members which would enhance their awareness levels and their general understanding of the disease, and help them fight against diabetes. The activities planned will ensure improvement in the daily lifestyle of the patients. These would include Food Festivals, Sports Programs, Fashion Shows, Yoga & Meditation and Picnics. The grand finale would include adjudging of the participating members by the esteemed panelists for the ones who have best managed their diabetes in the course of the time and awarding them.
During the program to launch the support group, the patients were given blue ribbons and were asked to take a pledge to take care of their diabetes.
What you should do:
Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying diabetes related complications:
? 30 minutes of daily exercise is a must; you need not join a gym, a brisk walk or a jog is sufficient to keep you healthy

? Maintain healthy body weight

? Eat a healthy diet which includes more vegetables and fruits and less fast food

? Avoid tobacco use ? smoking increases the risk of diabetes related complications and cardiovascular diseases.

? Check your blood sugar levels daily, if needed check them twice a day to ensure they are under control

? Stick to your prescribed medication; never discontinue any medicine without the doctor?s advice

? Get a comprehensive eye examination done once every year to ensure any diabetes related eye complications such as diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma is detected on time

About Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.
Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. is the only company in India to utilize 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) route in the hospital sector.
About Columbia Asia Group of Companies
The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organizations and individual investors. The group currently operates eleven facilities in India and has presence in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Kolkata, Mysore, Patiala and Pune. The company also operates hospitals in Malaysia (11), Vietnam (3), and Indonesia (3). The Indian management operations are managed from its office in Bangalore.