Fair in capital to raise awareness on diabetes

    By IANS,

    New Delhi: In an effort to raise awareness on diabetes, a two-day diabetic fair will begin at the Agarwal Bagichi Trust Bhavan in the capital’s Punjabi Bagh area Saturday.

    “We expect that more than 6,000 people will be visiting the two-day fair and avail free general check up, blood sugar tests, eyes check up, ECG, heart check up and foot care would be provided to the visitors along with dietary counselling,” said A.K. Jhingan, chairman, Delhi Diabetes Research Centre.

    The fare, in its 15th edition, is based on the theme “Save your kidneys” and would be attended by nephrologists, eye specialists, cardiologists from various city hospitals. The doctors would offer free consultation services.

    “Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. It damages the delicate glomeruli that filter waste from blood in the kidneys. Severe damage leads to kidney failure, resulting in the need for dialysis or kidney transplant. So, the theme for this year is ‘Save your kidneys’,” Jhingan added.

    India is currently home to 67 million diabetes patients with another 30 million in pre-diabetes group. It is expected that by 2030, India will have the largest number of diabetes patients in the world.