The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

World Diabetes Day will be observed in the country today (Friday) as elsewhere in the world with the theme "No child should die of diabetes".

On the occasion, Bangaldesh Diabetes Association will hold a rally at Manik Mia Avenue, arrange free diabetes tests in different parts of the city and organise a drawing competition for children at the Institute of Fine Arts at Dhaka University.

Addressing a press conference at BIRDEM conference room yesterday, President of DAB Prof AK Azad Khan said some five milion people in the country suffer from diabetes while only some 25 percent of the patients have access to treatment.

Some 12 lakh diabetes patients are taking treatment across the country, he said adding BIRDEM spent about Tk 43 crore on insuline and medicine in 2006-07 fiscal year for free treatment of the patients.

World Diabetes Day unites the global diabetes community to produce a powerful voice for diabetes awareness.

This year's Diabetes Day campaign aims at increasing the number of children supported by the International Diabetes Fedaretion's "Life for a Child Programme". It also aims at raising awareness about diabetes and encouraging initiatives to reduce diabetes. Secretary General of DAB M Sayef Uddin, Vice-Precident of DAB Maj Gen (retd)Prof AR Khan, Director Genarel of DAB Maj Gen (retd) Prof Ziauddin Ahmed, Prof Nazmun Nahar and Prof Arup Ratan Chowdhury, among others, were present at the press conference.

World Diabetes Day is a global event. It brings together millions of people in more than 160 countries to raise awareness of diabetes among people, including children and adults living with and affected by diabetes, healthcare professionals, healthcare decision-makers and the media.

The diabetes warning signs are frequent urination, excessive thirst, increased hunger, weight loss, tiredness, lack of interest and concentration, blurred vision, vomiting and stomachache (often mistaken as flu).

World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14. The day was chosen because it is the birthday of Sir Frederick G. Banting, a Canadian who, along with Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1921. In their separate messages, the President and the Chief Adviser appreciated the initiative of the observance of the World Diabetes Day in the country as elsewhere in the world.

The President in his message urged all goverment and non-government organizations to work together for preventing the deasese. In his separete message, the Chief Adviser urged the concerned people for raising awareness about diabetes and encouraging initiatives to reduce diabetes which affect young people.