Families spend 5% income on diabetes treatment, say doctors

With one in every 10 people suffering from diabetes in India, on an average, a family spends nearly 5% of its income on treating the disease, said doctors. Most of it is spent on medicines. Pathology tests and doctor’s consultation fee follow close on the heels.

Doctors felt that the government needs to look out for plans to bring down the cost of treatment.

Dr HB Chandalia, consulting endocrinologist of the Jaslok Hospital said, “It is high time that the government finds a way out to bring down the cost incurred by a diabetes patient. A strip itself costs Rs25-Rs30. We advise people to check diabetes in the machine twice a week. The strip price needs to be brought down.”

Doctors said a person suffering from type II diabetes spends Rs500-Rs2,000 a month, while a type I diabetic can spend Rs4,000-Rs 5,000. “People should control diabetes at an early stage. Once the diabetes is in control, people don’t have to spend much,” said Dr Shashank Joshi, consulting endocrinologist at Lilavati Hospital.

While the medical expenses for diabetes have been a debatable issue among doctors, they are also worried about the change in the line of treatment adopted by patients without consulting doctors.

“People go for naturopathic, ayurvedic and homeopathic treatment without consulting doctors. Sometimes, they even stop modern medicines and go in for trial and error with alternative medicines.

This can be dangerous, as it can lead to uncontrolled diabetes and other complications,” said Dr Chandalia.

He said during the intial stages, a 5-km walk, along with naturopathy like methi powder consumption, is effective in controlling diabetes.

“People who have been suffering from diabetes for more than 10 years should combine it with modern medicines and keep the doctor in the loop,” he added.

Talking about the trend among diabetes patients to switch the line of treatment, Dr Joshi said, “Diabetes patients are distressed in their efforts to bring down blood sugar levels. That is the reason they keep switching the line of treatment. They should consult a doctor and follow strict regime instead of going for trial and error methods.”