In order to raise awareness about the growing incidence of diabetes, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai have launched a ‘Drive against Diabetes’ campaign, to commemorate World Diabetes Day on November 14, in a unique public private partnership mode to mobilize people to join the fight against diabetes.

Sunil Prabhu, Mayor of Mumbai, inaugurated the noble social initiative at Mumbai.

As per research led by International diabetes Federation and Indian diabetes (ICMR-INDIAAB) Study, around 10.3 per cent population in urban areas of Maharashtra are diabetic and Mumbai accounts the largest number of undiagnosed and diagnosed diabetes cases.

CII in a novel partnership with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) will mobilize Mumbaikars to screen themselves for diabetes on November 13, in conjuction with the World Diabetes Day. Corporates like Apollo Hospitals, Apollo Munich, OneTouch, Abbott, Sanofi and several others have come forward to support this unique public private partnership model in initiating the Drive Against Diabetes. Such an initiative promises both scale and sustainability in the efforts to combat this silent disease.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Prabhu, Mayor of Mumbai expressed concern on the steady rise of the incidence of the disease, “Today diabetes is one of the major conditions affecting people’s health and lifestyle, it is estimated that by 2030 the diabetic population will be around 10 crores. Out of which 6.2 per cent are expected to be suffering from diabetes and 15 per cent from blood pressure. Within India, Mumbai is leading this race to the top – the city experiences a hectic work culture, high levels of stress and fewer sleeping hours. During tomorrow’s drive we expect that even if 10000-12000 people are tested positive for diabetes, we will incorporate that in the MCGM’s database and an SMS alert will be sent to them after three months suggesting next level of detailed diagnostics. The testing of 200000 people in a single drive is a record in itself but I will be happy if 500000 people are tested in the next drive and fewer are diagnosed positive for diabetes.”

Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner (Western Suburbs) MCGM said; “MCGM started its drive against diabetes in 2011, under which 21700 people were diagnosed with diabetes at the dispensary level. 25645 and 34782 were diagnosed positive at MCGM run hospitals and major public hospitals in Mumbai. Currently there are more than 86000 patients on the MCGM diabetes database, out of these 15 per cent who are at the initial stage are being suggested lifestyle modifications and 61 per cent and 22 per cent detected with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes respectively are under the MCGM medical care programme. But the ambition is to create awareness of diabetes and not to focus on numbers.”

Shobana Kamineni, chairperson CII National Committee on Public Health and executive director - New Initiatives, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited in her address mentioned; “Diabetes is a silent killer as there are no symptoms; hence it becomes important for each one of us to get ourselves checked. We will ensure that Mumbaikars are made aware of healthy dietary habits and easy to adopt lifestyle changes. CII members and corporates have already come forward to conduct several of these screening camps engaging paramedics across Mumbai. Registered data from all screenings will be collated and analyzed to generate a report which will include generic recommendations as well. I would like to thank MCGM and all our partners for an overwhelming response to come forward and lead this drive. Your support has been magnanimous and united and it has been a pleasure to ideate and propel this initiative to a meaningful end.”

This partnership involves the partners setting up over 500 screening centres on November 13 across MCGM across its ward offices, over 40 member companies of CII (Reliance, Larsen & Toubro, ICICI, Star Indian, Mahindra, Bajaj, Blue Dart and many more), chemists, pharmacists and public places in Mumbai that will target to screen over 200000 individuals reaching out to the workforce as well as the larger community. Blue balloons will identify these centres. MCGM will also support by providing over 700 paramedics who will be mobilized across the city to test individuals across industries. The Private sector has come forward to provide screening kits including glucometers, strips, swabs, lancets, information booklets and questionnaires alongside training and capacity building for the paramedics.