State Not Yet Ready to Tame Fast Spreading Diabetes: Expert

BHUBANESWAR:  With diabetes fast assuming the shape of epidemic, not even sparing the backward regions and lower strata of the population in Odisha, the Government should act urgently to gear up its public health response systems, experts stressed.

The State is simply not ready to tackle the disease that is taking menacing proportions both in terms of medical care and support systems. There is a severe dearth of diabetes specialists or trained physicians to handle the mounting burden while the healthcare facilities too lack in speciality services for diabetes.

According to latest estimations, nearly 10 per cent of the population in Odisha are afflicted by diabetes with urban areas showing a high incidence of over 15 per cent with rural areas not far behind at eight per cent.

“But Odisha has only 20 diabetologists and around 200 trained physicians providing diabetes care. While the State requires at least 1.6 crore prescriptions annually, at present, only around 15-16 lakh are generated at the most. Thus, a major chunk of the diabetics is deprived of basic healthcare,” Chairman of Kanungo Institute of Diabetes Specialities (KIDS) Dr Alok Kanungo said.

The major concern with diabetes is that it gives rise to a whole lot of diseases affecting every part of the body from cardiac problems, kidney damage, retinopathy and neurological ailments to foot ulcers leading to amputation. Serious complications are seen in more than 30 per cent of the patients.

“This is what the Government should be wary about. The costs of managing diabetes complications will be huge and thus, steps should urgently be taken to structure the public health systems to control and manage diabetes right from the primary level,” Dr Kanungo said.

The expert suggested training of general physicians and AYUSH doctors across the districts in managing diabetes. A standard treatment procedure should be developed and followed for diabetes management along with a standardised referral system, he said.

“The disease burden can be reduced by ensuring control of blood sugar in patients through proper medical management, diet and lifestyle changes. We need to gear up our health systems to cover all aspects,” he added.

Dr Kanungo announced that the KIDS Multispeciality Hospital was undergoing expansion to add 100 new beds to the existing 100. It has also opened a modern OT complex with latest infrastructure and equipment enabling conduct of most complicated surgeries.