DiSHAA to spread awareness about diabetes
POSTED March 8, 2011 - 11:29 | POSTED BY Varma.gbsnp
Last edited by Silky Chandvani on March 8, 2011 - 11:03
The campaign, DiSHAA (Diabetes & Obesity Awareness for Children/Adolescents and Adults), creates awareness about the disease and dispenses advice about effective measures to tackle it, said Satish Mehta, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, on Saturday in Pune, at the launch.
DiSHAA would educate people about what diabetes is, who it affects, and the risks and complications associated with it.
Grim Picture
Diabetes has acquired epidemic proportions in India. As the lifestyle changes, it is estimated that 7 to 8 percent of Indians will have diabetes. Experts paint a grim picture for decades down the line.
Previous studies have already shown how urban India is prone to diabetes. Some studies have indicated worsening situation in rural areas also.
At present, an estimated 2 lakh amputations are carried out on diabetics. The disease is spreading in younger people fast, said Mr. Anoop Misra, the Director, Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Fortis (Delhi).
The situation worsens when one looks at lower strata of people who don’t have any awareness of diabetes, and fall prey to its ravages.
“Ninety percent of people among the lower socio-economic strata have poor awareness about the disease. Around 20-75 percent among the upper and middle sections of society are aware of the disease,” he said.
About DiSHAA
The project targets around 500 schools for creating awareness about diabetes. It seeks to educate more than 5 lakh students for a period of 18 months, between July 2011 and December 2012.
Dishaa is conducted in collaboration with the 50 top diabetologists of the country, and they chart the best educational strategies that are innovative and appropriate to the local populations and living conditions.
“Lack of awareness about diabetes is a major lacuna for any initiative to control Diabetes in India. For the first time this massive and consolidated effort from more than 50 top diabetologists from across the country would not only help in preventing diabetes and heart disease, but also strengthen important national initiatives taken recently,” said Mr. Anoop Misra.
DiSHAA organizers hope it becomes a major health movement.
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