Amitabh Bachchan launches mobile diabetes testing unit in Goa

Verna, (Goa) Oct 26 (ANI): Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan launched a mobile testing unit for diabetes in Goa on Sunday.

The bus, known as a Mobile Diabetes Assessment Unit, capable of testing diabetes within minutes, was donated by the British-based Silver Star charity, with whom Bachchan works as international patron.

Silverstar founder and British MP Keith Vaz and Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat were present along with Bachchan at the launch.

Talking to reporters, Bachchan said that his endorsement of healthcare related initiative was a fall out of his brush with the health care system.

"I must admit that a lot of it came into my mind after my own several escapades with the medical profession in India because of my various accidents and my own visits to ICUs of several hospitals and I felt that if I can contribute in any manner towards the healthcare I will be very happy to do that," he added.

Vaz, a British MP said India was on course to becoming the diabetes capital of the world.

"We have approximately 14 million people in India who have been diagnosed with diabetes and there are many millions more who have not been diagnosed and it is supposed that unless we do something about this. By the year 2025, we will be here in India," Said Keith Vaz, Member of British Parliament.

The charity has launched India's first Mobile Diabetes Assessment Unit in Goa and plans to launch more in cities like Mumbai and Delhi in near future. (ANI)