A national policy on diabetes, formulated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), will be included in the 11th Five-Year Plan period from 2007 to 2012, according to Dr Bela Shah, senior deputy general, ICMR.

The national policy on diabetes was scheduled to be included in the present plan period from 2002 to 2007, but was not included due to various reasons. The Government decided to come out with a separate national policy on diabetes because of the increasing number of diabetes patients in the country and because of the menace posed by this non-communicable disease.

It is necessary to set up more research centres and training institutions to train doctors and paramedics in various non-communicable diseases. In the recent period, non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular problems etc. are increasing in the country.

ICMR has been conducting extensive research on noncontiguous diseases and have come out with effective solutions. An integrated approach is required to counter communicable and non communicable diseases, and it is advisable to spend allotted funds equally for the two types of diseases, said Dr.Bela Shah here in Chennai last week while inaugurating the four day national seminar on epidemiology and non communicable diseases organized by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and University of Alabama.

The function was also attended by Dr.Jerzy Leowski, Regional Advisor, Non Communicable Diseases Surveillance, WHO - SEARO (South East Asian Regional Office).