Plea to make blood sugar test mandatory while issuing driving licenc

New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) The Government has been urged to make blood sugar test mandatory for those seeking driving licence or their renewal.

The Delhi Diabetes Research Centre(DDRC) has approached Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister T R Baalu and Delhi Transport Minister Haroon Yusuf with this plea saying that millions of people in India are not aware that they are suffering from diabetes.

At present there are 40 million diabetics in the country and there are an equal number of people who are diabetic but are not aware of it, DDRC Chairman A K Jhingan told the Ministers.

Incidence of diabetes is growing at an alarming rate in India and one person dies in every ten seconds because of diabetes related diseases, he said.

Early detection of diabetes and its treatment can prevent complications of this disease. Best way for early detection is to have blood sugar test done during fasting and two hours after food, he pointed out. If this is made mandatory for at least driving licence seekers, it will go a long way in detecting and treating this disease.

Dr Jhingan said diabetics are prone to develop hypoglycemia, ie. low blood sugar, especially after alcohol consumption. One has to be extremely careful while driving after consuming alcohol, he added.

Mr Haroon Yusuf has asked the Delhi Transport Commissioner to take necessary action in this regard.

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