The Indo-British Health Initiative (IBHI) is planning to host a major Diabetes Summit in Chennai soon. It will bring together experts from across India and the UK to jointly find solutions to the crisis of diabetes.

Senior diabetologists and endocrinologists from Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka, New Delhi, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar and Haryana are expected to speak at the Summit.

Representatives from NHS Diabetes, Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and from several other institutions in the UK will also attend the meeting.

There will be discussions on different themes such as prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, obesity, wound care, nursing and allied health care areas. Medical equipment, services, technologies, research and training are other key areas for the discussion in the summit.

"The Young Innovator’s Award" will be presented to a healthcare professional or student who excels in a chosen field, whether developing a new technology or solution or authoring a reputable paper. The award will highlight emerging talent and innovation in the field of diabetes, sources said.

“It is now a year since the IBHI was launched in Chennai. We have held large events on orthopaedics and gastro-intestinal, liver and pancreas and supported smaller programmes on care for the elderly and paediatric neurology. We are now focusing on what we believe will be the largest bilateral healthcare event ever staged between India and the UK. A UK delegation of over 50 faculty, universities, medical technology companies and officials will attend the health summit,” said Mike Nithavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai and ex-officio President of the IBHI.

Dr Prithvi Mohandas, founder and secretary of the IBHI and Joint Managing Director, MIOT Hospitals Chennai said, “The IBHI is an excellent opportunity for Indian public and private sector healthcare institutions to build on the long-standing relationship with the UK healthcare sector and forge mutually beneficial partnerships in academics, healthcare delivery, new technologies, innovative solutions.”

Dr V Mohan, chairman of the Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre spoke about the crisis of diabetes across India.