12 November,2010 08:04 AM IST | | Bindiya Carmeline Thomas
This year has seen India getting the unenviable distinction of becoming home to the largest number of diabetics in the world.
5.81 lakh Number of women that die of diabetes each year
Number of women that die of diabetes each year According to the International Diabetes Federation, India has 50.8 million diabetics and it projects that, by 2030, the number could go up to 87 million.
At a time when seven out of 100 adults are affected by the disorder in the country, doctors in the city are seeking to nip the disease in the bud by focusing on juvenile diabetes to mark World Diabetes Day on Sunday, which is also Children's Day.
On Sunday, 150 juvenile diabetics will take part in a walkathon to promote awareness of the epidemic on the premises of the Bangalore Diabetes Hospital.
Prasanna Kumar, CEO, Bangalore Diabetes Hospital, said, "Patients between the ages of five to 18 will join us for the walkathon. The idea of this event is to promote awareness of the disease.
Just imagine, a child who, a month ago, could indulge in anything he or she wanted to, is now suddenly deprived of all his favourite things. He also has to be injected with insulin three times a day."
Kumar added that the 12-16 age group is the most affected by diabetes, going by the demographic of patients coming into the hospital Indians affected by diabetes will collectively spend $2.8 billion on medical expenditure while 10.07 lakh people (between the ages of 20 and 79) will fall prey to the deadly disorder this year.
It will cost the fairer sex more as it kills 5.81 lakh women each year.
