India has a huge diabetes epidemic. The number of people with Type 2 diabetes is escalating in both the urban and rural areas of the country with almost 60% of Asians reported having diabetes or pre-diabetes by age 60. While we have seen a focused effort to teach people about Type 2 diabetes in the last few years, awareness about Type 2 diabetes or juvenile diabetes is still largely lacking.

In fact, some estimates show that there is an alarming gap between the estimated cases and the actual number of children and adolescents who are diagnosed. This indicates that the condition is most likely not detected in time in most cases. Since early diagnosis is critical for survival, we need a greater effort to detect and educate people on juvenile diabetes.

As a lifelong condition, families of affected children must be taught about daily glucose monitoring, timely insulin injections, and screening for complications. We should also counsel them on the psychological fallout and the need for emotional support. As it cannot be prevented or cured, the responsibility for educating families on the management of juvenile diabetes lies with the healthcare community and the government.

This Diabetes Day we must also thank our nurses, who have been an essential part of our prevention and management strategies. As healthcare professionals who are most connected to our patients, it is their selfless care and devotion which has made an actual difference in our patients’ lives, whether they are adults, adolescents, or children.

Dr. Altamash Shaikh
Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist
Saifee Hospital, Mumbai.

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