Awareness camps mark World Diabetes Day

Tirupati: On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, the departments of Community Medicine and Endocrinology of SVIMS have organised a diabetes awareness lecture series along with a diabetes testing and treatment camp at the Primary Health Centre in Mangalam near Tirupati on Wednesday. 

Speaking on the occasion, SVIMS Director Dr TS Ravikumar has emphasised the importance of bundled approach to diabetes care wherein the care given consists of several components administered simultaneously like smoking cessation, blood glucose level control, blood pressure control, cholesterol and fat lowering, lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise evaluation of blood vessels, eyes and nerves etc., in order to have maximum impact on the complications of diabetes.

Medical Superintendent Dr Alok Sachan, HoD of Community Medicine Dr Nagaraj and the PHC Medical officer Dr Kajal also spoke. The public were shown a detailed power point presentation on diabetes mellitus, its complications and its control. A testing and treatment camp was also conducted for patients.

At a separate programme, Dr P Krishna Prasanthi, senior physician and diabetologist and senior surgeon Dr P Harinatha Reddy have conducted a free awareness camp in which they have enlightened the implications of the disease and its preventive measures.

They stressed the role of women in protecting the health of the family by making dietary changes and life style modifications. Training has been given to the participants in using glucometer. 

The myths and realities in taking insulin were explained along with food habits. About 100 patients participated in this camp. Similar awareness programmes were also held at Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, government hospital in Puttur and other places.