New Delhi: With an increase in life expectancy, obesity and sedentary lifestyles, the prevalence of diabetes will rise dramatically and also the number deaths caused by it, a research body has warned and stressed for better research on affordable treatment.
Pointing out that in 2012 there were an estimated 2.2 lakh diabetes related deaths in India, Indian Society of Clinical Research or ISCR said that there is an urgent need to focus on prevention, early detection and treatment of diabetes to effectively combat the chronic disease.
Diabetes in low and middle income countries is increasing and the burden on society and the healthcare delivery system is growing, the World Health Organisation or WHO said today. ‘Beat Diabetes’ is the theme adopted by WHO for World Health Day, which is being observed today.
“Diabetes is an enormous public health challenge in India and cuts across all economic strata. We need greater investments in clinical research to find more affordable and accessible treatment options for the increasing number of diabetics in our country. This will reduce the pressure on our overburdened health infrastructure,” said Suneela Thatte, President, ISCR.
It is estimated that by 2030, there will be more than 100 million patients living with diabetes in India. According to WHO’s Diabetes Country Profiles, in 2012 there were an estimated 2.2 lakh diabetes related deaths in India.
