World Diabetes Day
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## World Diabetes Day November 14th (WDD) #### Diabetes and Well being WDD is celebrated every year on November 14th since 1991, the birthday of Sir Fredrick Banting (Canada) who discovered insulin in 1921 along with his co-worker Charles Best. World’s largest diabetes awareness campaign is being done in 160 countries on this day under the auspices of WHO and IDF (International Diabetes foundation). Every year the WHO institutes a theme and the theme in 2024-2026 is ‘Diabetes and well being’. The sub theme to focused this year (2025) is Diabetes in the workplace. All Diabetes patient irrespective of their cast, colour, creed, gender, income and nationality should feel that they are getting the proper treatment without discrimination. Even in 1978, a conference was held in Alma Ata in Kazakhstan by WHO and passed a resolution known as the ‘Alma Ata’ Declaration, (Health for ail by2000) giving importance to Health Care for all. WHO’s definition of Health states that Health is one’s Physical, Mental and Social well being, thus exemplifying well being of the patient inside and outside the working place. Maintaining good health is an individual’s right as education, food and shelter and it is the primary responsibility of the Government to provide sufficient health care to all of its citizens without discrimination. All Diabetes patients have access to rest, food different types of availability, peer compassion and good working atmosphere in the workplace. Only by providing equal health care one can provide sufficient care to poor diabetic patients. In India there are about 100 million diabetes patients and 50% were undiagnosed. 70% of DM patients are working, 75% suffer mental problems and 80% are introverts, concealing their disease from their peers WHO’s definition of health says that health is one’s physical, mental and social well being, there by exemplifying ‘well being’. Sixty percent of patients with Diabetes, experience distress - the fear of developing diabetes related complications in view of their poor income, dependency and lack of support. One million diabetes patients die every year in India. The disparity in income affects proper treatment. Health empowerment also includes knowledge and awareness about Diabetes which is a lifestyle disease and can be controlled or prevented by restriction of diet, exercise, regular intake of drugs and periodic evaluation of the disease. _Dr. KP Poulose MD, FRCP (L) Principal Consultant in Medicine SUT Hospital, Pattom_