World Diabetes Day today

The World Diabetes Day will be observed today in the country as elsewhere in the world in a befitting manner to make people aware about diabetes. 

This year the theme of the Day is "Eyes on Diabetes" and organizers will focus on early diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes and using treatments to reduce the risks of getting any serious complications.

The world diabetes day was first introduced in 1991, and founded by both the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization. In reaction to the rise in cases of Diabetes worldwide, it was decided to choose a day of the year to raise awareness of Diabetes and related causes.

The day chosen was the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, a medical scientist, who co-discovered Insulin and was the first person to use it on humans.

According to a data of International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there were 5.9 million cases of diabetes in Bangladesh in 2014. As per IDF, diabetes prevalence in Bangladesh would reach 12 million by 2035 posing a big challenge to the health system. 

On the occasion of the World Diabetes Day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for creating awareness among the people against diabetes. 

In separate messages, they said both government and non-government organizations should work together to prevent diabetes diseases to protect lives of the people.

In his message, the President said the number of diabetic patients is increasing in the world because of changes in lifestyle and food habit and lack of physical labour.

He suggested taking healthy food and encouraging the people, particularly the young generation, to prevent diabetes. 

He stressed the need for creating awareness to prevent diabetes and called upon Bangladesh Diabetic Association, other private organizations, civil society and media to come forward in this regard along with the government.

The Prime Minister, in her message, said though diabetes is a chronic and complicated disease, it is preventable. 

Living a healthy and normal life is possible by controlling this disease, she added.

The government is implementing various programmes to create awareness against all diseases, including diabetes, the Prime Minister said and called upon all concerned to come forward along with the government to prevent diabetes.

Various government and non-government organizations have taken an elaborate programme to observe the day. 

A rally will be brought out from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) at 8.45 am tomorrow. BSMMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qumrul Hasan Khan will lead the rally.

Source: BSS