Civic body to conduct door-to-door survey to detect diabetes

Starting next week, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will conduct a door-to-door survey to identify those suffering from diabetes.

Starting next week, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will conduct a door-to-door survey to identify those suffering from diabetes.

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The BMC has identified a health post in each of the 24 civic wards in Mumbai. The community health volunteers from these health posts will go door-to-door to screen those who are at the risk of developing diabetes.

“The number of infectious diseases is decreasing in the city. We have observed that the number of people suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes and hypertension is on the rise,” said Dr Arun Bamne, executive health officer, BMC.

By 2030, India’s diabetes numbers are expected to cross the 100 million mark, as against 87 million that was earlier estimated, according to the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) fifth diabetes atlas released in December last year.

The BMC has already conducted a training program for doctors and volunteers to screen people for diabetes and identify those in the high-risk category.

Dr Bamne added that the volunteers would calculate the blood glucose levels using a glucometer for those who exhibit any symptoms (see box). “Those with a family history of diabetes and obesity, and those who have a sedentary lifestyle are at high risk and will be screened. If their glucose levels are found to be high, volunteers will refer them to the closest dispensary for treatment,” said Bamne.

Dr Daksha Shah, special officer for NCDs said the survey would be restricted to the lower economic rung of society.

“People should get themselves tested regularly, for early detection. In many patients, diabetes goes unnoticed as not all patients show symptoms,” said Dr Amar Pajare, head of medicine department, KEM Hospital, Parel.