World Diabetes Day 2022: Access to Diabetes Care for All

Today, there are 537 million people in the world living with diabetes. What do we know about diabetes, and how can easy access to diabetes aid in controlling the disease?

Let us start it right away!

Increasing public awareness of the diabetes epidemic can assist in lowering individual risk. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) started a day to raise awareness of diabetes and its growing impacts.

An overview of World Diabetes Day and diabetes

Every year 14^th November is observed as World Diabetes Day. World diabetes day was noted in 1991 and was made an official UN day in 2006. Considering Sir Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and John James Rickard Macleod, who co-discovered insulin in 1922, were born on this day, it is recognized as World Diabetes Day. Every year there is a theme depending on which the campaign lasts an entire year.

The theme of the World Diabetes 2021 – 2023 day is 'access to diabetes care'. World Diabetes Day is the largest diabetes awareness campaign in the world, reaching over one billion people in about 160 countries.

"Access to Diabetes Treatment - If Not Now, When? "

The theme encourages and raises awareness about maintaining both short- and long-term blood glucose levels within acceptable ranges, allowing people to benefit from diabetes and its treatment knowledge, dietary changes, and physical activity.

About Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects a person's ability to control glucose and blood sugar levels. According to the IDF, diabetes will become 46% more prevalent by 2045.

Diabetes falls into three categories. They are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 - The cause of type 1 diabetes has been identified as an autoimmune disease. This implies that the immune system targets and kills the beta cells in the pancreas that handle insulin production, causing irreversible damage. Type 1 diabetes is mostly a genetic condition that is often found early in one’s life.

Type 2 -  Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. Insulin resistance develops when the pancreas produces more insulin than the body needs . Type 2 diabetes develops overtime especially due to lifestyle related habits and practices.

Gestational diabetes - It is because of insulin block; it happens during pregnancy. It is a form of high blood sugar which eventually develops into type 2 diabetes later in one’s life.

In India, diabetes affects about eighty million people, with over 95,000 children under fourteen suffering from type 1 diabetes says to ICMR. India may not be the world's diabetes capital, but we are making headway. Millions of diabetics worldwide still lack access to the necessary care one hundred years after the discovery of insulin.

Can India turn this trend and fight against diabetes care? 

Yes, India is improving the quality and availability of diabetes care, but it appears bloated on a global diabetes map. Approximately 74,150 healthcare facilities are needed in India, but the current number comes up to just half of it rising serious questions especially with the dramatic increase in the number of chronic illness patients in which diabetes are in alarming numbers.

In India, most people do not realize they have diabetes until they start to experience its effects, due to poor awareness, limited availability of high-quality care, a shortage of qualified staff members to check facilities, and a lack of anti-diabetic medications, so the management of diabetics has become worse.

The government of India started a National Diabetes Control Program in 1987 to tackle the nation's rising diabetes prevalence. This year experts in Indian diabetic medicine have suggested on quality of the therapies and accessibility of healthcare which are helpful in the rising prevalence of diabetes.

The availability of services 

Community health initiatives already exist to engage the public. Diabetes affects an estimated 72.96 million adults in India, and we have only 3.71 lakh specialists, but more than 80–90% of skilled medical professionals treat diabetes and diseases connected with its work in the private sector than the government sector. In such a scenario middle income people couldn't afford diabetes care, so diabetes experts in India suggest that access to healthcare should increase through public-private partnerships, particularly in remote areas. 

 
Quality of service

A skilled healthcare workforce is an essential part of providing excellent care. As mentioned in the earlier topic, we have only 3.71 lakh specialists in our country, but the doctor-patient ratio is insufficient to deal with the current T2DM epidemic. Patients' long-term diabetes is reduced through the participation of trained diabetes educators frequent visits, community involvement, and the maintenance of treatment registers.

To improve the effectiveness of diabetes care and outcomes, it is urgently necessary to train the doctors of various medical fraternities about the management and standard guidelines of T2DM and create a well-organized infrastructure and make existing healthcare facilities healthier to reduce the resulting morbidity and mortality rates. So, the government should invest more in diabetes treatment and support to provide high-quality care.

Affordability of drugs

All diabetes should have access to medication, technologies, support, and care. Even with this advanced technology here with us, people with diabetes are either undiagnosed or unable to obtain the drugs and advancements that could help them.

The government needs to plan to share the information on market transparency for diabetes medications and related health products.

Prevention of Diabetics

1. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) cannot currently prevent, but it can control by following the doctor's advice, managing blood sugar, and getting regular check-ups.

2. Type 2 (non – insulin-dependent), People with this kind of diabetes can control it with simple diet control and exercise but, medication should need if these measures are ineffective at lowering blood sugar levels and Type 2 diabetes patients use insulin.

3. For Gestational Diabetes, it is essential to periodically check the blood sugar levels each day while pregnant. Although insulin is provided during pregnancy because it is safe for the developing infant and dietary adjustments, exercise is also recommended.

The Technology Contribution

Innovative technologies have played a significant role in improving diabetes treatment over time  These technologies include: Blood Glucose Meters (BGM), Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM), artificial pancreas, insulin pumps, and healthcare applications are the technologies involved in managing diabetics. Our Indian government has also developed a diabetes monitoring app. Easy access to technology can help in controlling and preventing the number of new diabetes cases in our country on one hand and helping those who are already diagnosed to maintain a normal and healthy lifestyle on the other.

AI In the Treatment of Diabetes

AI in medicine has shown promising results in improving diabetes care. Patients' diet, physical activity, breathing, and sleep information are collected by the sensor, which is given to doctors and patients to help them make treatment decisions using AI. The tool helped over 84 percent of patients achieve remission, which means they had normal blood sugar levels for at least three months without taking any medication.

"Diabetes can only be controlled; it cannot be cured."

Despite the availability of numerous technologies and treatments to manage chronic conditions, individuals with diabetes still lack access to comprehensive diabetic care. The global diabetes awareness campaign aims to educate people about diabetes management . Also it is important to remember that diabetes is a complex condition that varies from person to person. Therefore, it is essential to get advice from a doctor who specializes in diabetes care.