Ahmedabad, one of the Indian cities having the highest number of diabetics, is all set to witness an intense debate on various aspects of the disease, as 37th annual conference of prestigious body ‘Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India’ (RSSDI) will be held in the city from November 5 to 8 at Gujarat University Convention Center, Memnagar. The four-day event is being managed by Dr. Banshi Saboo – Organizing Secretary, Dr. V. Mohan, Chennai – Scientific Chairman, Dr. Shashank Joshi, Mumbai – Chief Advisor and Dr. Mayur Patel – Organizing Chairman.

“RSSDI, a research-oriented organization, encourages research work in the field of Diabetes in India. It was founded 37 years ago in 1962 with an aim to guide the doctors treating the disease with inputs like latest scientific researches and their outcomes. RSSDI also issues educational circulars to help the diabetic patients. It organizes the annual conference in different cities of India in order to provide a platform to the members for exchange of knowledge. Certain scientific programmes are also held with the conference. RSSDI is the biggest diabetic institution in South East Asia and the conference will be the third largest one in the world” informed Dr. K M Prasannakumar, President, RSSDI while addressing press in Ahmedabad today on the eve of conference.

“Earlier the annual conference of the organization was held in Ahmedabad twelve years ago. Selection of the city as the location for the conference holds significance, as in India, which is the capital of Diabetes in the entire world, Gujarat leads with the highest number of diabetic patients. And in Gujarat, Ahmedabad, the major city of the state, has the dubious distinction of having maximum number of the patients” commented Dr. Mayur Patel, Leading Diabetes Expert and Organizing Chairman of ‘RSSDI2009’.

“The RSSDI 2009 is special in many ways. It includes a very comprehensive program encompassing simple diabetes diagnosis and treatment measures to more advanced therapies to the latest research on diabetes. It brings together the cream of specialists in diabetes from all part of India. There are a total of 109 faculty members from India and 13 scientists from abroad. There are separate streams during the conference for postgraduate students as well as for more advanced practitioners of diabetes” explained Dr. V Mohan, Chairman, Scientific Committee, RSSDI 2009.

“The ‘RSSDI2009’ Conference in Ahmedabad will be held for 4 days instead of 3 days as it usually happens. There will be More than 3000 delegates including 250 International delegates. More than 170 Faculty including about 17 International Doctors and more than 100 Research Papers will be presented for the first time. Besides, there will be more than 25 posters with discussion over each one and also presentations will be there on 5 best papers during conference. There will be 3 Orations by renowned diabetologists” said Dr. Banshi Saboo giving the program details.

The salient features of the ‘RSSDI2009’ Conference being held in Ahmedabad also include Discussions, Lectures and Interactive activities covering all aspects of Diabetes like newer molecules, genetics of diabetes, comparisons of India with International scenario, prevention of diabetes, heart, eye and sex problems in diabetes, newer modalities of treatment, insulin infusion pumps. Special Continuous Medical Educational Programs has been arranged on the first day. Four Separate Workshops with best arrangements for practical education will also be held.

“Large Exhibition showcasing Medical Instruments, Recent diagnostic modalities etc. related to Diabetes will also be there. One important aspect is Creation of Diabetes village, which will have diabetes food court, demonstration of diabetes meal plans, health education, blood sugar monitoring for 1000 or more persons” added Dr. Mayur Patel.

Coinciding with the conference, as a part of ‘Project KADAM’ that was launched a month ago under the national diabetes prevention strategy, the following activities have been undertaken:

1. Patient education programme in regional languages by health educators, dieticians
2. “Solve your every Query” answers of questions from public by expert panels of doctors
3. History of diabetes exhibition along with Who’s who of diabetes in Diabetes Gallery
4. A special programme for patients by patients and of patients. Diabetes education by kids with debates, posters, drawings, slogans and skits
5. 3.5 kms walk on diabetes awareness with expected participation of over 10000 persons
6. Yoga shibir from November 2 to 8, 2009.