Dhaka, 14 November 2019 :- The “World Diabetes Day” was observed at Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) Campus in Dhaka Cantonment today, Thursday (14-11-2019) which was organised by Department of Medicine. This year the theme is “Family and Diabetes“. A colourful rally was held at AFMC campus in morning today. Thereafter a seminar was conducted highlighting the importance of World Diabetes Day and the role of family members in case of diabetes. The keynote speaker was Brigadier General Md. Abdur Razzak, Professor and Head, Department of Medicine. In addition, the cadets from AFMC-18 batch presented on the topic “An Overview of Diabetes”.
The seminar was chaired by Major General Md Mustafizur Rahman, Commandant, Armed Forces Medical College. Major General Md Fashiur Rahman, Director General Medical Services was present as Chief guest. Major General Golam Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Consultant Dental Surgeon General; Major General Md Mahbubur Rahman, Consultant Surgeon General; Major General Susane Giti, Commandant, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and Major General Md Azizul Islam, Consultant Physician General, Bangladesh Armed Forces were present as special guests. The programme started with the welcome address by Brigadier General Md Saidur Rahman, Deputy Commandant, AFMC. Vote of thanks was given by Mr. Kazi Nurul Haque, GM, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
The speakers highlighted the global burden and preventive aspects of diabetes as well as its complications and management aspects. In 2017 approximately 450 million adults (22-79 years) were living with diabetes. By 2045, this will rise to 629 million. The proportion of people having type -2 diabetes is increasing in most of the countries. A total of 79% of adults with diabetes are living in low and medium income countries. The greatest number of people with diabetes are within 40-60 years of age. Diabetes was responsible for 4 million death as well as caused at least USD 727 million dollars in health expenditure in 2017 which is 12% of total expenditure on adults. Besides, more than 1,106,500 children were living with type-1 diabetes. More than 2 million live birth (1 in 7) were affected by diabetes during pregnancy. Around 352 million people are at risk of developing type-2 diabetes all over the world. In Bangladesh 80 Lakh people suffer from diabetes. This number accounts for 19% of adults (15.6% man and 22.5% women). It causes 6.4% of total deaths in the country. Diabetes often called a family disease because it affects others members too in the family than just the person diagnosed.
Diabetes is one of the common cause of chronic kidney disease. It is also an important risk factor for ischemic heart disease, stroke, blindness, limb amputation and various infections. Worth mentioning acute complications of diabetes are hypoglycemia, hyperosmolar, hyperglycaemic state, diabetic ketoacidosis and sudden death. Various measures can prevent diabetes and its complications. 50% of type-2 diabetes is preventable. Simple measures like weight reduction, regular exercise, low carbohydrate, sugar free, low fat, high vegetable diet are important modalities to prevent diabetes. Early diagnosis, patient education, proper management, prohibition from Alcohol, cessation of smoking, diabetic foot and eye care etc. are important for prevention of complications.
