Diabetes Health Mela to create awareness

New Delhi, Nov 17 (UNI) The three-day '9th Annual Diabetes Health Mela-2007' has opened at Talkatora Garden here to create awareness on Diabetes and its complications.

Speaking in the Mela organised by the Delhi Diabetes Research Centre here today, DDRC Chairman Dr A K Jhingan said, "With sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits and greater stress at work, there has been an increasing prevalence of Diabetes in younger ages. This is a major concern and we are trying to address this issue through this Mela".

The focus of the health festival would be to highlight the health problems being faced by younger populace working in call centres and other places having long and erratic working hours with no physical exertion.

There are an estimated 46 million Diabetic patients in India, the highest in the world as per the World Health Organisation (WHO).

These numbers are expected to escalate to an alarming 80 million by 2030, posing a serious health and economic burden on India.

"Fast running life which give stress, burden on mind and the food which people, especially children are taking, like pizzas and cold-drinks, only give us health problems, which include Diabetes," Dr Jinghan said.

Free check-up stalls for blood sugar, blood pressure and ECG and eye sight were being organised by the reputed hospitals and medical institutes in the Mela.

"I am very happy by this Mela, I have get free consultancy and check-up in this Mela which saved me time and money", said Manjusha Rastogi, a Diabetic patient who came to get more information about health.

People were getting information on nutritious diet and do's and dont's about food to remain healthy. Doctors also give suggestions to patients to control their sugar and blood pressure.

Neurologists, dental surgeons, kidney specialists and cardiologists were also offering their services at the mela.

Yoga experts were giving advise on yoga and meditation to fight Diabetes. "Why turn back on Diabetes when you can walk through it. Diabetes is just a condition, keep going in life," yoga expert S K Sharma said.

The first day of the Mela was dedicated for the care of Diabetic kidney patients and Diabetic foot patients. Another key fact was the discussions around the increasing incidence of type I Diabetes among young children, often minors.

The third day of the Mela will cater to patients with queries on heart, eye and dental check up that will be provided free of cost.

UNI