STRATEGIES FOR DIABETES CONTROL

WORLD DIABETES DAY

Somesh Katyayan, Business Head, Carin Lifesciences

Primary healthcare in India needs to be strengthened

Health services on the lines of Ayush are needed to spread awareness about diabetes in rural areas. A holistic approach by integrating Allopathic and traditional medicine may help. The public and private sectors must collaborate to implement prevention-oriented policies viz. improving the distribution affordable medications, innovation, supply of health foods, urban design policies, etc.

Dr Avinash Phadke, President and Mentor, SRL Diagnostics

Controlling the blood sugar and lipid levels is essential

Diabetes awareness is low in India. Good control of blood sugar and lipid is essential. Controlling diabetes in the initial phase may help prevent or delay diabetes-related complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation. Improving one's lifestyle like maintaining optimal weight, exercising regularly, and adopting a healthy diet are important to prevent diabetes.

Dr Ramesh Menon, Associate Director in Genomic medicine and Personal Genomics, MedGenome Labs

Conduct PRS test for advance diabetes detection

Preventive genomics has emerged as a revolutionary approach for diabetes prevention and treatment. Use of genetic factors for risk prediction has also been demonstrated in tests such as PRS. Individuals with diabetes family history or hypertension, smoking habits, excessive alcohol consumption, dyslipidemia, lack of physical activity, stress, and all individuals above the age of 35 should take PRS test.

Dr Sushrut Pownikar, Head of Quality Assurance and Deputy Director, Oncquest Laboratories

Healthcare accessibility needs to be improved in rural areas