As you step out today, you might spot a blue balloon by the wayside in the city – an indicator to blood sugar testing kiosks that will be set up by the municipality a day prior to World Diabetes Day which is observed on November 14.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which plans to screen as many as 2 lakh people, has tied up with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to set up around 350 such testing kiosks at public spaces across the city.
“Each kiosk will have paramedics who will request passersby to respond to a risk-assessment survey on physical attributes and lifestyle habits. Also, they will carry out a random blood glucose test,” said Ninand Karpe, chairman, CII, Maharashtra State Council.
The kiosks, which will function for an entire day, will be put up at locations which see high footfalls – like Marine Drive, Hiranandani Garden in Powai and Joggers Park in Bandra.
Karpe said that kiosks will also be put up at municipal health posts and dispensaries. “Besides, there will be150 kiosks in corporate set-ups like banks.”
The exercise assumes significance in the wake of statistical data available. Estimates have it that one in every six people in India is affected by diabetes. The civic body estimates that there’s a chunky ‘hidden’ population of diabetics in the city.
Mayor Sunil Prabhu said that of the 2 lakh people who will be screened, it is estimated that 10,000 to 12,000 could be having diabetes but may not be aware of it. “Many have ‘hidden diabetes’ which gets diagnosed at a very late stage,” said mayor Prabhu.
Of around 82,163 diabetes cases diagnosed at civic hospitals and dispensaries, about 55% were women. Of all patients, 22% had uncontrolled sugar levels and 2% of these had serious complications, including vision problem.
This ain’t sweet news
10 crore the estimate number of diabetics the country will have by 2030
103 people of every 1,000 from Maharashtra’s urban pockets, including Mumbai, are estimated to have diabetes
10%–12% people in the city are estimated to have ‘hidden’ diabetes. It means they are not aware that they have this condition.
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