International Diabetes Federation

We have had a very interesting event in Delhi discussing longevity and future strategies of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) with the number of leaders in diabetes care in India. An initial lecture addressed what is scientifically known about process is off longevity. I followed with a presentation about innovations in diabetes care and how the IDF will address these challenges. Afterwards we discussed multiple questions and pros and cons of new strategies in diabetes care in India and globally. It has been a very scientific evening and many of the colleagues showed interest and registered for the IDF fellowship programme. Anyone reading this is warmly invited also to become fellow of the International Diabetes Federation. https://idf.org/

Discussing healthy lifestyle with 700 children. On my IDF visit to India I have had the chance to discuss a healthy lifestyle to avoid diabetes with children. In the morning, we have visited the Christian Father Agnel School Noida with more than 2000 children. All of them were waiting in the main hall and got very excited as I visited the school together with Dr. Anuj Maheshvari and Dr. Amit Gupta. We talked about healthy lifestyle and healthy physical activity to avoid the development of diabetes mellitus. The children had a very good knowledge about healthy lifestyle and at school, they have the opportunity to live a healthy physical active lifestyle. Together, we gave the following pledge to be dedicated to healthy lifestyle. "I pledge to take care of my body and mind by making healthy choices every day. I will eat nutritious foods, stay active, and get plenty of rest. I will keep my mind strong by learning and staying positive. I will respect my body by avoiding harmful habits and always striving to be the best version of myself. I promise to take care of my health, so I can grow strong, stay happy, and achieve my dreams." https://lnkd.in/e3aJbSdk https://idf.org/

Yesterday I was attending a welcome celebration of the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka on invitation by Dr Mahen Wijesuriya. Sri Lanka is one of the 6 countries of the IDF South East Asia (SEA) region. The prevalence of diabetes is very high in Sri Lanka. Based on different studies, it varies between 9.8% in the past increasing to 23% currently. At the event we have discussed current challenges in the diabetes sector. One of the main challenges is identifying undiagnosed diabetes cases. Discussing with colleagues indicated an approximate number of 50% cases of type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed. If diagnosed availability and accessibility of adequate diabetes treatment is assured free of cost from the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka. In other countries in the region timely diabetes care is not covered by Ministry of Health. This shows how different the circumstances and needs for diabetes care in different countries are. But the main challenge in Sri Lanka is to find the undiagnosed cases and to motivate those persons 2 seek and receive medical care. Dr Mahen Wijesuriya - the host of the event - lived experience as a person living with diabetes and heart disease fueled his passion to work as a volunteer in Diabetes and NCDs. He pioneered the formation of the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka in 1984 and the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance in 2016. He works tirelessly to improve lives of persons living with chronic illness by focusing on prevention through education, increased awareness and screening. Sri Lanka is in in region where the diabetes prevalence currently explodes. It is not fully understood what are the main determinants of the increase in number of people with diabetes but one major factor are fried carbs as part of daily diet leading to an accumulation of liver fat. Therefore, individualized strategies  to address the determinant liver fat (NAFLD, MAFLD but also very early stages of liver fat)  are needed as well as public health strategies on local and national level to focus on diabetes prevention and education. I'm very thankful to the passionate work of Dr Mahen Wijesuriya and his wife for the Diabetes Association in Sri Lanka and would like to thank all the people in the staff team as well as all trustees and partners of Diabetes Association in Sri Lanka for the enormous active work to improve the quality of life for people with diabetes. The Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka is a very good role model for other diabetes organisations and the international diabetes federation is proud off the activity and the achievement of its member organisation! International Diabetes Federation