Online Desk :
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, world-class healthcare provider Evercare Hospital Dhaka today organized a special webinar. The webinar focused on the need for special care for diabetic patients during the Covid-19 pandemic, said a press release.
The webinar, which was moderated by Dr. Arif Mahmud, Deputy Director of Medical Services at Evercare Hospital Dhaka, was started by Dr. Khadiza Umma Salma, Specialist of Diabetology & Endocrinology, who presented a document regarding World Diabetes Day. The event was chaired by Prof. Dr. Abdul Mannan Sarker, Senior Consultant & Coordinator – Diabetology & Endocrinology. The webinar’s guest of honor was Prof. Dr. SM Ashrafuzzaman, Professor of Endocrinology & President of Bangladesh Endocrine Society. Also present on the panel of experts was Dr. Nazmul Islam, Senior Consultant, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Evercare Hospital Dhaka; Dr. Fahmida Zabeen, Consultant, Pediatrics and Neonatology; and Dr. Ahsanul Haq Amin, Senior Consultant, Diabetes and Endocrinology at the hospital.
Prof. Dr. Abdul Mannan Sarkar, Senior Consultant and Coordinator, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Evercare Hospital Dhaka, who chaired the webinar, said, “Our focus for this year’s World Diabetes Day is: Access to Diabetes Services: If Not Now, When? Despite the fact that we have recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, not all patients of diabetes have access to insulin. However, the government of Bangladesh is taking appropriate steps to control diabetes, for which I would like to thank the government of Bangladesh.” He added, “At Evercare Hospital, the upcoming launch of our ‘One Stop Diabetic Clinic’ is in the works. I believe this new initiative will expand the availability and scope of diabetic services to a wider group of patients.”
Dr. SM Ashrafuzzaman, Professor of Endocrinology and President of Bangladesh Endocrine Society, the special guest on the occasion, said, “Although World Diabetes Day has been observed since 1991, it was only in 2006 that it was recognized as an official UN day. In the present time, despite the fact that 60-70% percent of the global population suffers from this disease, only half are able to receive proper treatment for it, which is quite unfortunate. Now, during the pandemic and given that diabetes is one of the underlying conditions which makes Covid-19 more dangerous, we have to work together twice as hard to spread awareness about diabetes and services related to it.”
Dr. Nazmul Islam, Senior Consultant, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Evercare Hospital Dhaka said, “The resources currently available to us for controlling diabetes is quite advanced. However, before being quick to prescribe medicines, the patient’s particular needs and conditions should be considered. Although it is not yet financially viable, inhaled insulin is also now available. We hope that soon there will be a new type of insulin which has to be administered only once a week to control diabetes.”
Dr. Fahmida Zabeen, Consultant, Pediatrics and Neonatology said, “The children and adolescents of today are suffering from diabetes due to myriad reasons. Although Type-1 diabetes is more common in children, many are also being diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes in recent years. Diabetic people have a higher risk of being infected and weakened by the coronavirus. As such, it is essential for us to prioritize raising awareness about diabetes at all levels.”
Dr. Ahsanul Haq Amin, Senior Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Evercare Hospital Dhaka said, “Diabetes may be an incurable disease, but it is also a controllable disease. So, for successful prevention and control of diabetes, it is important to be aware of it. As in other nations, we in Bangladesh also have a need for educators of diabetes. Keeping this disease in check requires the effort of all members of society, not only healthcare workers.”
Dr. Arif Mahmud, Deputy Director of Medical Services at Evercare Hospital Dhaka said, “World Diabetes Day has been observed worldwide since 1991. The purpose of this day is to spread awareness about diabetes among the common people of the society. So, I think this day should be celebrated every day, not just one day. “
