HLL Lifecare (HLL), a ‘mini ratna' public sector enterprise based here, has launched an initiative to spread awareness about the growingly epidemic nature of diabetes and is offering a blood glucose check facility on wheels at affordable rates.
Only Rs 10 will be charged towards checking blood sugar level, which compares with anything between Rs 30 to Rs 100 prevailing in the market, an official spokesman said here.
The initiative is called ‘STAR' (sugar testing and review), as part of which a dedicated and specially-designed van will go around different cities and visit neighbourhoods. It would also distribute information leaflets and patient guidance.
The van was formally flagged off from HLL Headquarters on Wednesday by the Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Mr M. Ayyappan.
The van proposes to travel around the Capital City during this month in the first phase of the programme. It will reach out to the nook and corners of State in subsequent phases, the spokesman said.
India, the world's second most populous country, houses more than 50 million patients identified with Type 2 diabetes, which is more than any other country.
ALARMING SCENARIO
The condition makes for an alarming scenario since diabetic patients are also assessed as at high risk of contracting heart and kidney diseases, nerve damage and eye ailments, the spokesman said.
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has estimated the number of diabetic patients figure to inflate to 87 million by 2030.
The rising incidence of the degenerative disease is being blamed on population growth, aging, urbanisation, obesity and lack of physical activity.
Unlike in the west where the older people are most affected, diabetes in Indians is alarmingly high in young to middle-aged adults. This could have long lasting effects on India's health and economy.
EXPONENTIAL GROWTH
So, the current need is to respond to changing lifestyle and keep a check on rising blood sugar levels.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the prevalence of known diabetes in India is 5.6 per cent and 2.7 per cent in urban and rural areas, respectively.
Lack of timely diagnosis and adequate treatment has led to exponential growth in complications and deaths from diabetes.
The first step in controlling the disease is keeping a check on the rising blood glucose levels. Studies say that blood sugar level needs to be assessed every two months, the spokesman added.