Doctors in Bhopal say about 20% of adults in Madhya Pradesh are diabetic. That means about one in five adults in the state.
World Diabetes Day will be observed on Saturday. This year's theme is Early Action on Diabetes.
Doctors have shared easy steps for patients to manage the condition.
Key points
- About 20% of adults in Madhya Pradesh are diabetic, according to diabetologists.
- The state is close to Kerala, which has the highest burden of cases.
- Doctors suggest four steps: tension-free living, regular exercise, proper medication and a balanced diet.
- Central government will start giving insulin to children with Type 1 diabetes through the National Health Mission.
How common is diabetes in Madhya Pradesh?
Diabetologists say nearly 20% of the state's population is diabetic.
This is very close to Kerala, which has the highest number of cases in the country.
Doctors call diabetes a lifestyle disease. They say it can be managed by following certain steps.
What are the four steps doctors suggest?
The first step is living without too much tension. The second is regular exercise.
The third step is taking proper medication. The fourth is eating a balanced diet.
Doctors also say patients should get eight hours of sleep.
- 1Avoid too much tensionLive without too much tension, doctors say.
- 2Exercise regularlyRegular exercise is the second step doctors recommend.
- 3Take proper medicationThe third step is taking medication as prescribed.
- 4Eat a balanced dietThe fourth step is eating a balanced diet.
- 5Sleep wellDoctors also say patients should get eight hours of sleep.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
What is changing for children with Type 1 diabetes?
Dr Mahesh Maheshwari, a paediatric diabetologist at AIIMS, said the central government will start distributing insulin for children with Type 1 diabetes.
This will be done through the National Health Mission.
The reason is that Type 1 diabetes has now been included in the RBSK programme.
The government is also in the process of starting insulin and glucostrips through non-communicable disease clinics.
Dr Sushil Jindal said doctors had pushed for Type 1 diabetes to be covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
That has not happened yet. He said it would have helped patients meet medical expenses.
Explainer
What happened before
- Type 1 diabetes has now been included in the RBSK programme, a government programme.
- Doctors had asked for Type 1 diabetes to be covered under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, but this did not happen.
Why it matters
Type 1 diabetes is not classified as a specified disability, so patients do not get that support for medical expenses.
What to watch next
- The government is in the process of starting insulin and glucostrips through non-communicable disease clinics.
- Central government will start distributing insulin for children with Type 1 diabetes through the National Health Mission.
