National Diabetes Awareness Month November, 2017

Ludhiana, November 30, 2017: Diabetes Awareness Programmewas organized at Mata Kaushalya Devi Pahwa Charitable Hospital (A Unit of CMC Hospital) Ludhiana on Thursday, to increase awareness about diabetes as diabetes is one of leading cause of disability & death in India.The month of November is observed as National Diabetes Awareness Month to raise awareness about risk factors of diabetes and encourage the people to make healthy changes in their life style.National Diabetes Month was actually established forty years ago in 1975. World Diabetes Day was jointly introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO)and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). November 14th is a significant date in the Diabetes Calendar because it marks the birthday of Fredrick Banting who co-discovered insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best.

The Medical Surgical Nursing Department of College of Nursing, CMC & Hospital has been taken the lead in organizing the Diabetes Awareness Programmein the OPD and Community area of the same Hospital.The programme was started with welcoming of gathering followed by devotional song. Mrs. Ritu P. Naihar, Associate Professor, College of Nursing unfolded the theme “Take Control.” She said that if you are at a high risk for diabetes i.e., if you have a family history of diabetes or if you are overweight with a Body Mass Index greater than 25 you should adopt a prevention programme which include more exercise, regular check up and start with small changes in your diet. She emphasize that prediabeticsiflose just 5-7% of their body weight, they decrease their risk of diabetes by 58-71%.Mrs. Sapna D. Malviya, Asstt. Professor, College of Nursing CMC & Hospital also spoke on various aspects of this dangerous chronic disease. B.Sc. Nursing 2nd Year students enacted a role play on the prevention & Control of diabetes.

50 people got their blood sugar and blood pressure checked free of cost. M.Sc. (N) 1styear and B.Sc. (N) 2nd year students performed various supervisedactivities like ongoing health education through the poster exhibition and they taught about foot care to prevent diabetic foot, a complication of diabetes which was well appreciated. General Public,Patients, their relatives, staff and employees found the program very interesting, educative & appreciated the hard work put in by the teachers along with students. Staff, patient and visitors vowed to participate in preventing and controlling diabetes and protecting their future!