'50 pc patients suffering from diabetes without knowing it'

Maj Gen (Retd) Prof AR Khan speaks at a press conference in the city yesterday.Photo: STAR

Medical experts yesterday called for a campaign to raise awareness about diabetes, saying that around 50 percent of people suffering from diabetes in the country are not aware of their illness.
There are around 50 lakh people with diabetes in the country, but only 25 percent of them were brought under the umbrella of diabetes service, they said at a press conference in the city.
The Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB) organised the press conference on the eve of the World Diabetes Day to be observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe today.
Diabetes is one of the major life-threatening diseases in the world and the number of patients with diabetes has been increasing rapidly in the developing countries, the experts said, adding that all the member countries of United Nations (UN) are observing the World Diabetes Day today for the first time.
The number of diabetic patients has been increasing in the country rapidly, but it can be prevented by changing the lifestyle, the experts said.
It is possible to prevent type 2 diabetes in 65 or 70 percent cases by going back to the traditional food habit and amplifying physical activities, said DAB Secretary General Mohammad Saif Uddin.
A large number of children are also suffering from diabetes and most of them remain undiagnosed. That is why they come to hospital with various complications and the death rate among them is high, said Prof Nazmun Nahar, head of the department of paediatrics.
The experts said topics on prevention of diabetes should be incorporated into school curriculum. At the same time, all the schools and colleges should have playgrounds for physical activities of the students.
To raise awareness among the people, the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh will organise carious programmes, including distribution of leaflets and posters and a walkathon at Manik Mia Avenue.
Besides, free test for the diagnosis of diabetes will be conducted in front of the National Museum and other areas from 8:00am to 11:00am.
Prof Hazera Mahtab, chairman of National Healthcare Network, Dr Wajedul Islam Khan, coordinator of DAB, Maj Gen (retd.) Prof AR Khan, Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury and Dr Lutfur Rahman were also present at the press conference.