Over 199 Million Women Living With Diabetes Worldwide: VC LUMHS

The Vice Chancellor Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro Prof. Dr. Bikha Ram Deverajani Friday disclosed that currently over 199 million women living with diabetes worldwide and this total is projected to be increased to 313 million by the year 2040

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Nov, 2017 ) :The Vice Chancellor Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro Prof. Dr. Bikha Ram Deverajani Friday disclosed that currently over 199 million women living with diabetes worldwide and this total is projected to be increased to 313 million by the year 2040.

He stated this while addressing a seminar organized in connection with the World Diabetes Day at Latif Auditorium Hall of LUMHS, Jamshoro. The theme of World Diabetes Day- 2017, which observed on November 14, was Women and diabetes - our right to a healthy future.

He said that all women with diabetes should have an access to the essential diabetes medicines and technologies, self-management education and information they need to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Bikha Ram Devrajani informed that there were currently over 199 million women living with diabetes. This total is projected to be increased to 313 million by 2040. Two out of every five women with diabetes are of reproductive age, accounting for over 60 million women worldwide, he added.

He said that diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths per year. Women with type 2 diabetes are almost 10 times more likely to have coronary heart disease than women without the condition.

Women with diabetes have an increased risk of early miscarriage or having a baby with malformations, VC LUMHS added.

He further informed that all women with diabetes should have access to pre conception planning services to reduce risk during pregnancy.

All women and girls should have access to physical activity to improve their health outcomes, he added. The chief guest Prof. Zaman Shaikh expressed that diabetes is now a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world.

It is associated with high rates of hospitalization, blindness, renal failure and non-traumatic amputation, he informed. Dr. Zaman said that the economic impact of Diabetes was high and it was a major contributor to the escalating healthcare cost worldwide.

Diabetes is also one of the most common non-communicable diseases globally, he added. Prof. Zaman Shaikh said the Diabetes prevention was as basic requirement as eating more healthfully, becoming more physically active and losing a few extra Pounds, he said and added that it's never too late to start.

Making a few simple changes in the lifestyle now may help avoid the serious health complications of diabetes down the road, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage, he suggested. On the occasion, a walk was also organized to raise awareness about diabetes which was participated by large number of doctors, officials and students of the university.