The World Diabetes Day will be observed in the country today as elsewhere in the globe in a befitting manner to make the people aware about the disease.
This year’s theme of the day is ‘Education to protect tomorrow’.
On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages urging all concerned to work together for creating awareness among the people about diabetes.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said the prevalence of diabetes is increasing day by day due to urbanization, changes in lifestyle and food habit and lack of physical labour.
The head of the state urged everyone to know the ways to prevent and control diabetes.
According to the specialists, the President said, the number of diabetic patients is now about 53 crore across the world, which would increase to 64 crore by 2030.
Due to diabetes, the number of diseases related to heart disease, brain hemorrhage kidney and eye diseases are increasing in human body, Hamid said.
Underscoring the need for taking necessary healthcare services and creating awareness to control diabetes, the President urged media, social and cultural organizations and other private organizations to come forward along with Bangladesh Diabetic Association for creating mass awareness about diabetes.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said the Awami League government has always been taking various programmes to protect the people’s health.
The premier said that various steps have been taken, including the establishment of new hospitals and nursing institutes, to ensure up-to-date health care by formulating pro-people health policies.
As a result of which significant progress has been achieved in the health sector of Bangladesh, she added.
The number of doctors, nurses, supporting staff has been increased to a large extent along with increasing the number of beds in hospitals across the country, she said.
New medical colleges and educational institutes have been built for the expansion of medical education, she added.
Sheikh Hasina further said that around 18,500 community clinics and union health centers have been set up across the country to reach health care at the doorsteps of the people at the village level.
Noting that diabetes is a preventable and controllable disease, she said all people (with and without diabetes) need to know about ways to prevent and control diabetes and also take necessary steps to protect themselves from it.
The Diabetic Association of Bangladesh has been taking multi-faceted activities including creating awareness for prevention and control of diabetes, the premier said.
The current government has taken special programmes to provide free insulin to type-1 diabetic patients, she said, adding that the current government will continue to support diabetes-prevention and its control.
Both the President and the Prime Minister wished all the day’s programmes a success.
