Experts calls for more innovative approaches for diabetes management during pregnancy
Experts stressed on the fact that Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, a form of diabetes occurring during pregnancy in women, poses a major health problem in India. They were taking part at the Integrated Health and Wellbeing Council’s 2nd virtual edition of ‘Diabetes in Pregnancy’ Summit. The e-summit was hosted by the IHW Council supported by Asian Research and Training Institute for Skill Transfer (ARTIST for Her).
Prof (Dr) V Seshiah, diabetologist who first coined the concept of ‘Spot Test’ for pregnant women said, “We have reached a point where the diabetes can be termed as an epidemic. It is estimated that by 2045, 783 million people around the world will have diabetes, a whopping 54 per cent increase from 463 million in 2019. Currently, every one in 7 adults living in India have diabetes. The ever-increasing prevalence of diabetes points to the fact that every pregnant woman must be screened when she is hospitalised.”
Pointing out some of the reasons behind an increased prevalence of diabetes of any type in India, including GDM, Dr Seshiah said that the aging population structure, rapid urbanisation, obesity pandemic, and physical inactivity are the root causes.
Dr Hema Divakar, CEO, Asian Research and Training Institute for Skill Transfer (ARTIST) and a member of IHW Council’s Apex Advisory Body added, “Diabetes in pregnancy is turning out to be a big headache in the Indian health ecosystem. GDM, as we have seen many times, does its job very silently. Therefore, irrespective of the fact that a pregnant women is diabetic or not, it must be made mandatory to check her blood-sugar level.”
Kamal Narayan, CEO, IHW Council said, “Eradicating diabetes is extremely crucial for an India that aspires to be fit and Ayushman. During IHW Council’s massively successful and laudable ‘Shapath 1000 days’ campaign, we helped policymakers and government authorities of our country understand the growing need to prioritise the health of all women and children, for they are the very pillars of any nation.”
Stressing on the mandatory need for universal screening in pregnant women to detect and prevent GDM in the early stages, Dr Hrishikesh Pai, President-Elect, Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India, said, “Screening is the most important thing when it comes to detecting diabetes in both men and women. Testing for diseases like Rubella, Thalassemia, and Diabetes must be a routine procedure for every pregnant woman, so that they don’t affect both her and her developing baby.”
“In India, under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan launched by the Government of India in 2016, every woman gets comprehensive and quality antenatal care, free of cost, universally to all pregnant women on the 9th of every month,” Dr Pai added.