Karnataka Government Will Support Programs For Diabetes Prevention: Chief Minister D V Sadananda

Online, November 14, 2011 (Newswire.com) - With diabetes reaching epidemic proportions in Karnataka as well as the nation, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda announced on Monday the state government's commitment to aid and assist organizations working towards the welfare of diabetics and early intervention of the disease.

Flagging off a Walkathon organized by the Karnataka Institute of Diabetology on the occasion of 'World Diabetes Day' on November 14, Monday, in Bangalore, Mr. Gowda emphasized the need for leading a stress-free life. "All of us are under tremendous pressure...Our life style and work culture has changed. Politicians are no exception to this changing trend. Diabetes has now become a silent killer. We need comprehensive efforts to tackle the situation," the chief minister added.

Pointing out that approximately 66.2 million of the world's total 222 million diabetics were from India, Mr. Gowda said the Karnataka government had implemented several programs to address the issue through its agencies and various hospitals.

"We have opened the Karnataka Institute of Diabetology, a world class institute, which has the best of the facilities for diabetics. All facilities are being offered under a single roof. We have various plans to further improve the facilities. Over the next two years, Karnataka Institute of Diabetology will emerge as the best such centre in the country. I am very happy that the Karnataka Institute of Diabetology is doing a wonderful service as a government-run institute," Mr. Gowda added.

"Diabetes Mellitus (Diabetes) is the common non-communicable disease worldwide. Almost 10 per cent to 12 per cent of adults aged above 25 years suffer from diabetes. This is one disease which doesn't discriminate people on the basis of income/ caste/ creed/ urban/rural affecting everybody. The United Nations has declared November 14 as the World Diabetes Day to spread awareness and improve diabetes prevention and management," said Dr. K.R. Narasimha Shetty, Director, Karnataka Institute of Diabetology and Chairman, RSSDI, Karnataka Chapter.

Celebrities and high profile guests were part of the 2.5km walkathon from Cubbon Park. Well-known film actors, Leelavathi, her son Vinod Raj, Shivaram, and Chandrashekar, Deputy Mayor S Harish and more than 2,500 people participated in the walkathon, jointly organized by the Karnataka Institute of Diabetology and Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) Karnataka Chapter.