Diabetes hits epidemic levels in Sri Lanka

by Carol Aloysius

Over 382 million people the world over and in Sri Lanka have been diagnosed with diabetes and this number will double to 592 million by 2035, statistics from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) report of 2013, have revealed.

According to the survey this increase would occur largely in the Indian and Asian subcontinents, due to the genetic, environmental and social factors and 90-95 percent people would have Type 2 diabetes.

The latest research on Sri Lankans with diabetes and pre-diabetes by Consultant Endricrinologist and Diabetologist Dr Prasad Katulanda has revealed that 10.3 percent of Sri Lankans have Type 2 diabetes and 11.50 percent had pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose) the majority of whom are unaware of it.

According to global statistics of 2013, 46 percent pre-diabetics are unaware they had the disease.

Although the number of deaths from diabetes had declined with improved facilities health officials said there was a disturbing trend in the increase in the number of diabetics among pregnant mothers. Screening of pregnant women in five MOH districts at Piliyandala, Padukka, Pitakotte, Kadawatha and Hanwella in 2010 revealed that 19.3 percent of pregnant mothers suffered from gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).

Co-ordinator Diabetes Prevention Task Force of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr Hasitha Fernando, told the Sunday Observer that although most of these mothers had been cured, many developed diabetes when they resumed their former unhealthy lifestyles.

A Diabetes Walk will be held on November 14 (World Diabetes Prevention Day) from the Independence Square and conclude at the BMICH.

There will be a free screening for diabetes and several lectures will be held on diabetes by a panel of experts at the BMICH. "All are welcome", media spokesperson Dr Suguni Galapathi said.