Manipal Hospital, Goa, part of one of India’s leading healthcare groups, commemorated ‘World Diabetes Day’ under the theme ‘Diabetes Education and Prevention’. To mark the significance of this day, Manipal Hospitals across all centers in India projected Blue light on their hospital buildings, the creative expression developed by International Diabetic Federation to give all diabetic campaigns a common identity worldwide.
World Diabetes Day is a primary global awareness campaign on Diabetes Mellitus and is held on November 14 of each year. The campaign aims to educate, engage and empower youth and the general public on diabetes. Since the slogan for this year is ‘Diabetes: Protect our future’, the special focus has been put on children and young people to recognise the importance of early awareness of the risks and dangers of diabetes. The people who are likely to develop Type 2 diabetes fall under the age group 25-45 years.
Thus, Manipal Hospitals has planned a week long campaign to create awareness among patients, employees, corporate clients and common public. The campaign has multiple awareness tools such as the ‘Blue Light Projection on the hospital building’, ‘Take the Stairs Campaign’ for its employees, ‘Diabetes Awareness Posters’ in the hospital premises, flash mob, health check packages etc.
- The significance of ‘Take the Stairs’ campaign is very high and was targeted towards its employees
- Aimed to alert people about the importance of physical activities which can help reduce or delay the development of Type 2 diabetes by nearly 60%
- Walking is the best way to stay fit, it improves circulation and mobility, promotes weight loss and even helps reduce stress
As a mark of observation of the World Diabetes Day campaign, employees of Manipal Hospital Goa gathered at the hospital premises to create a flash mob dressed in blue and pledged to give more importance to regular physical activity in their daily lives.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr G Karthihaivelan, Unit Head, Manipal Hospital Goa, said, “Due to the alarming rise in the incidence of diabetics worldwide, and going by the theme for this year ‘Diabetes Education and Prevention’, I am glad that our organization has taken the right step towards creating awareness about Diabetes with poster exhibition, ‘Take the Stairs’ campaign for ensuring easy way of indulging in regular physical activity along with taking the pledge of maintaining healthy lifestyle through a flash mob.”
In India, the prevalence of Diabetes is estimated to reach up to 11, 40,000 by 2030. More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Excess body weight and physical inactivity leads to Type 2 diabetes which comprises 90% of people with diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces, which leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood. The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is skyrocketing around the world, mostly affecting the children and teenagers. The factors that cause Diabetes can be excess weight, lack of regular exercise, unhealthy food habits, smoking and leading a stressful lifestyle. Eventually, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.
Dr Mahesh Naik, Unit Medical Head, Manipal Hospital Goa, said, “Diabetes is a major health problem across the globe and the numbers of diabetics are estimated to rise to 70 million by 2025. Given the fact that this is a lifestyle disease, modification of the same can help anyone prevent diabetes and lead a healthy life. Physical inactivity, unhealthy food habits and excessive smoking and tobacco use are the major causes of diabetes. I am glad that our organization has taken the step towards healthy living and educating others about the same.”