Mercy Hospital launches specialised diabetes clinic

Institute of diabetes and metabolic disorders provides support to prevent and manage the complications related to diabetes

In a healthy human being, blood glucose is utilised by the cells in the body to perform metabolic activities. This is done by the hormone insulin which is secreted from the pancreas. As a result, the blood glucose level is maintained within a normal range. Diabetes is a condition when the blood glucose level rises above the normal range, either due to deficient production of insulin or despite normal insulin production it is prevented to work on glucose due to insulin resistance for various factors.

It has been observed that persistence of raised blood glucose, exerts deleterious effects on various organs within our body and eventually impairs or diminishes their functions. Most commonly affected systems are vascular beds, heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves etc.

Diabetes is becoming pandemic globally irrespective of developed and underdeveloped nations. It is topmost in the list of non-communicable diseases in the 21st century that threatens the human race.

As per recent published data of International Diabetes Federation (IDF), globally over 382 million people are living with diabetes (age group 20-79 years) and 46 per cent are undiagnosed (2013). If the present situation persists by 2035, this figure will rise to 592 million.

Diabetic population in India is estimated as 65.1 million in 2013 and it will be 109 million by 2035 (compared to China 98.4 million in 2013 and projected to 142.7 million by 2035).

Three types of diabetes

The most common one is the type II (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), followed by type I (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Indians are more susceptible to develop diabetes due to Asian ethnicity. Every six seconds one death is accountable for diabetes. Development of diabetes or its complications can be delayed or prevented by early screening of the high risk populations by providing effective management to maintain their blood glucose level within the normal range.

GDM is a condition where blood glucose level rises during pregnancy causing deleterious effects on the mother as well as the unborn child leading to increased maternal morbidity and mortality. Perinatal morbidity and mortality are also increased. Moreover, if GDM is not monitored or managed properly, the mother and the offspring will develop diabetes mellitus in future, adding to the diabetic burden of the nation.

This non-communicable disease threat can be prevented and controlled. More and more young diabetics are reported in the developing nations with increasing obesity probably due to their change in life styles (sedentary life, faulty diet habits, craze for fast foods etc).

As a health service provider, the hospital strongly believe that along with specialists, primary care physicians, diabetic educators, dieticians and most importantly the diabetics need to be actively involved in the struggle against the spread of diabetes. This only can control and contain the rampant spread of diabetes.

In keeping pace with the movement against GDM and diabetes, Mercy Hospital has created an Integrated Diabetic Clinic under the supervision and guidance of Dr Suranjan Chakrabarti, Senior Obstetrician (Obs) & Gynaecologist (Gyn) specialist along with Dr Masood Batin, Physician and Diabetologist, and Dr SS Das Physician and certified diabetologist.

Mercy Hospital collaborated with Diabetes Awareness and You (DAY), a regional NGO to provide integrated service to the population by special clinic (screening and management during ante natal, intra natal and post natal period, counselling, education on diabetes, diet and exercise etc). The diabetic clinic also provides support to prevent and manage the complications related to diabetes like diabetic foot care (diabetic gangrene), diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy etc.

Mercy Hospital feels privileged to be associated in the crusade against GDM. It is the only regional centre in Kolkata which conducts certified course on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (CCGDM) by Public Health Foundation Of India, New Delhi (PHFI) in collaboration with Mohan’s Diabetic Education Academy, Chennai. It was launched on August 2013 across India with the prime objective to educate and update the primary care physicians, obstetrician/gynaecologist specialists etc. on diabetes during pregnancy management.

For more information, please do contact at email@momhospital.org or at 9836008484.