Hyderabad: More people are suffering from diabetes but the physicians treating them are not equipped with the latest knowledge to control it. More nurses, paramedics, dieticians and general physicians, and of course endocrinologists, well versed in the disease are required to tackle the disease effectively.
Dr Vasanth Kumar, president-elect of the Research Society for Study of Diabetes, says that a majority of diabetics do not need newer or more expensive drugs. “What they need is basic tests and basic medicines.
They need inexpensive insulin and regular monitoring of blood sugar and blood pressure.”
He says that since the population of diabetics is large “it is important that all health professionals are equipped to tackle the disease”.
Research shows that there are glaring differences in the way the disease is treated in India and the West.
With 65 million people in India suffering from the disease, it is important that Indian data is analysed to understand how the disease can be tackled.
The main question is about affordability and regular monitoring. Experts who gathered in the state wing of the Indian Medical Association to discuss the growing challenges found that Indian research must be generated and used as it will help us understand what preventive policies can be framed.
Diabetologist Dr G. Srinivas explained, "We need to provide people affordable treatment and simplified regimes. It is not possible for them to take too many drugs, hence a combination of therapies has to be adopted. It has been noted that complex medicines regime is leading to non-compliance and complications. Industry and healthcare must come together to address this."
