Diabetes patients in Bangladesh have reached around 8.3 million countrywide, posing a big challenge to the health system, according to the data of International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
Moreover, it is mentionable that almost half of the diabetes patients do not know that they have diabetes.
The information was revealed in a media statement by Diabetic Association of Bangladesh on Friday, ahead of World Diabetes Day.
The World Diabetes Day will be observed on Saturday in Bangladesh, like everywhere in the world, in a befitting manner to make people aware about diabetes.
This year the theme of the day is “Nurses can make a difference in diabetes care”.
The main objective of the day is to raise awareness among people who have diabetes about controlling the disease and people who have not yet developed diabetes about the prevention thereof.
Also read - Doctors probe if Covid-19 is causing diabetes
According to IDF, there are 460 million diabetes patients in the country. The number is projected to reach 690 million by 2045.
To reduce the risk of diabetes during pregnancy, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh launched a special project. In this connection, 400 kazi (marriage officiants) were trained and they will advise newlyweds about planned pregnancies.
The statement also said a total of 4.9 million diabetes patients are under the services of the association.
Furthermore, a telemedicine service was also launched. Any patient can call 10614 and avail of health services.
The World Diabetes Day was first introduced in 1991, and founded by both the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organisation.
In reaction to the rise in Diabetes worldwide, it was decided to choose a day of the year to raise awareness on Diabetes and its related causes.
The day chosen is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, a medical scientist, who co-discovered Insulin, and was the first person to use it on humans.