BSS :
The World Diabetes Day will be observed in the country today as elsewhere in the globe in a befitting manner to make the people aware about the disease.
This year’s theme of the day is “Access to diabetes care. If not now, when?”
On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages urging all concerned to work together for creating awareness among the people about diabetes.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid said the number of diabetic patients is increasing across the world while the prevalence of the disease is also much higher in Bangladesh now.
“The prevalence of diabetes is increasing day by day due to urbanization, changes in lifestyle and food habit and lack of physical labour,” he added.
According to the specialists, the President said, the number of diabetic patients is now about 46 crore across the world, which would increase to 58 crore by 2030.
Due to the diabetes, the number of diseases related to heart, stroke, kidney, eye and paralysis is being increased along with enhancing the risk of death, he added.
Underscoring the need for taking necessary healthcare services and creating awareness to control diabetes, the President urged media, social and cultural organizations, including other private organizations, to come forward along with Bangladesh Diabetic Association for creating mass awareness about diabetes.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said the Awami League government always has always been taking various programmes to protect the people’s health.
“We are relentlessly working to reach healthcare to the doorsteps of the people. We are implementing a pro-people health policy,” she said.
Along with increasing bed number in hospitals across the country, the premier said, the government has set up new medical colleges, nursing colleges, nursing institutes and medical assistant training schools.
Noting that to reach healthcare services to the doorstep of the rural people, community clinics and healthcare centers were set up all upazilas and unions across the country, Sheikh Hasina said, “Our government will continue to support to prevent and control the diabetes”.
Both the President and the Prime Minister wished all the day’s programmes a success.
