The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

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

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

Addressing a press conference at BIRDEM conference room on Thursday, President of DAB Prof AK Azad Khan said some five milion of people in the country suffwr from diabetes while only some 25 percent of the petiants have access to treatment. He said some 12 lakh diabetes petiants are taking treatment across the country.

He said BIRDEM spent about Tk 43 crore for 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 stomach pain (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.