A mega Diabetes awareness public campaign will be organized in Ahmedabad during the months of October and November. The campaign shall coincide with the 37th Annual Meeting of The Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) to be held in the city, between 5 to 8 Nov 2009. Mr. Geet Sethi, the renowned billiard player, is the brand ambassador for the project.

Dr Banshi Saboo, Organizer, Project KADAM, Organizing Secretary of RSSDI 2009 along with Dr. Mayur Patel who is organizing Chairman of RSSDI 09 said: “This unique initiative is aimed at creating awareness amongst the general public about diabetes and its complications. It shall also guide people about how to identify undiagnosed subjects with diabetes and pre-diabetics through screening and how walking, exercise and yoga can help in controlling the disease. General practitioners shall also be trained in preventive diabetes”.

A Yoga Camp for diabetes shall be conducted between 5:00 am and 6:30 am at the Gujarat University Ground everyday from November 2 till November 8 2009. The organization has also planned a Walk for Diabetes on November 8, 2009 as a part of RSSDI 09.

A two-day exhibition on Diabetes will also be organized at Gujarat University Ground from November 7, 2009. A host of drug and formulations manufacturers, equipment and instrument makers, diet and supplement providers along with NGOs like Lions Club shall participate in the exhibition, which shall give the visitors an insight into the latest options available in the market for the treatment of diabetes.

The campaign also aims to organize few educational programmes on the various aspects of the disease. A debate by school and college students and a drawing competition for school children will also be held as a part of the initiative. Diabetic patients shall also convey their messages to general public at the programme. A medical check camp and a food court for diabetics have also been planned.

Talking about the seriousness of the disease, Dr. Saboo added “Every 10 seconds, a person dies from diabetes related causes. It is the fifth largest killer disease and in India alone over 49 million people are suffering from diabetes. What is worrying is the fact that at least 50% of people with diabetes do not know that they are affected. Also about 70,000 children, develop juvenile type 1 diabetes each year and one in seven adult deaths is due to diabetes and its complications. These figures are quite grave and one needs to take the disease seriously.”

He further added “Emerging metros like Ahmedabad are at a greater risk of life-style diseases and we must keep this deadly condition at bay by making people fully aware of this hazard.”

Dr Patel stressed on the importance of physical activity in keeping the body and mind fit and active. He also mentioned the role of dancing and sports which are some interesting ways of keeping fit and thus preventing a host of diseases including diabetes.

Studies have shown that, with good management, many of the complications of diabetes can be prevented or delayed. A healthy diet and exercise could prevent up to 80% of type 2 diabetes. If timely diagnoses & adequate treatment are delayed, complications and morbidity from diabetes can rise exponentially. But this grim situation can be averted and the key lies in awareness.