STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, a renowned professor and diabetologist, on Friday inaugurated the 52nd Annual Conference of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), held at New Delhi’s Yashobhoomi Convention Centre.
The event brought together over 20,000 healthcare professionals and diabetes experts from across the globe to address India’s growing diabetes burden and explore strategies for effective prevention and management.
In his address, Dr. Singh stressed the importance of proactive diabetes prevention, particularly before symptoms appear and at the pre-diabetic stage. He highlighted that early intervention can help prevent damage to vital organs such as the kidneys and heart, which often suffer irreversible harm due to uncontrolled diabetes.
The Minister also called for strict preventive measures, especially targeting young people and pregnant women, stressing that complications often begin silently before symptoms become apparent.
Dr. Singh emphasized “primordial control” during pregnancy, a strategy focused on controlling glucose levels from early pregnancy to reduce hereditary risks and foster healthier conditions for the unborn child. He highlighted the urgency of addressing Type 2 diabetes, particularly through increased awareness and early intervention.
The conference also saw the release of the RSSDI report, which painted a grim picture of India’s diabetes epidemic. With over 101 million diagnosed cases and an additional 136 million people in the pre-diabetic stage, India faces a national diabetes prevalence rate of 11.4%. The report raised concerns about the rapid rise in diabetes cases in rural areas, now quickly catching up to urban rates due to lifestyle changes and limited healthcare access.
In response, the RSSDI proposed a comprehensive approach to combating diabetes, which includes expanding telemedicine services, improving rural healthcare facilities, and pushing for policies that integrate diabetes care under national insurance schemes. The organization also emphasized the importance of regionally adapted dietary guidelines to make diabetes management more accessible and effective across India’s diverse population.
The event, featuring international experts including Prof. Peter Schwarz, President of the International Diabetes Federation, also included interactive workshops, plenary sessions, and keynote addresses focused on diabetes prevention and clinical care.