A silent crisis
Down To Earth|May 01, 2023
Years of undernutrition and a heavy reliance on rice, supplied through public distribution system, could be fuelling diabetes among tribal population
 TARAN DEOL
A silent crisis

NIRASIYA BAI'S three sons are used to their mother fainting every other week. They keep pieces of shakkar (jaggery) handy and place it swiftly under her tongue, every time she feels dizzy or is on the verge of collapse. In March alone, she fainted thrice. The 52-year-old resident of Shivtarai village in Chattisgarh’s Bilaspur district suffers from diabetes. In 2010, when she was diagnosed with the condition, her blood sugar levels were well beyond the normal range —297 milligrams per decilitre (mg/ dl) in fasting and 361 mg/dl, two hours after food. When Down To Earth (DTE) met Nirasiya in March, her blood sugar levels were under control. But she appeared frail and lacked energy to participate even in the routine agricultural activities she used to do until a few years ago.

DTE visited other families in this village of Gond tribal community, and almost every other household had a similar story to narrate. The situation appears no better in neighbouring villages of Shivtarai in Kota block. Data shared by the district's health office shows that the community health centre (CHC) at Kota has diagnosed 922 new diabetes patients between April 2022 and February 2023. As many as 1,063 people have also been found suffering from hypertension.

What is even more perplexing is that Kota, as informed by Anil Kumar Shriwastawa, chief medical and health officer of Bilaspur, is home to a majority of the district's tribal population, and non-communicable diseases (NCDS) like diabetes have so far been believed to be rare among these communities.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DOWN TO EARTHView all
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Down To Earth

Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?

Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024
TROUBLED WOODS
Down To Earth

TROUBLED WOODS

Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 01, 2024
BLINDING GLOW
Down To Earth

BLINDING GLOW

The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 01, 2024
GROUND REALITY
Down To Earth

GROUND REALITY

What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?

time-read
6 mins  |
November 01, 2024
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
Down To Earth

GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC

On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Vinchurni's Gandhi
Down To Earth

Vinchurni's Gandhi

A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024