�Diabetes rising among Bangladesh children�
UNB
The number of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients among children in Bangladesh is on the rise that needs to be addressed through awareness campaign, changing food habit, education and ensuring access to proper care, say experts working with children with diabetes.
The number is increasing alarmingly. There should be satellite centres across the country to deal with the issue to give our children a better and smooth life, additional coordinator of the Changing Diabetes in Children Programme (CDiC) Dr Samin Tayyeb told UNB at her office.
CDiC is the largest such specialised centre in the world which deals with over 15,00 children with diabetes with support from Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based global healthcare company with 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care.
She said type 1 diabetes, with no cure as yet, is an autoimmune disease where the bodys immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue and the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. We cant prevent it but can avoid complications.
Responding to a question, Dr Samin said the type 2 diabetes is emerging in Bangladeshs affluent society people, students who are studying in English medium schools, who prefer fast food with physical inactivity and no engagement with sport events.
This number is increasing. We can prevent it. Awareness can play a big role, she said adding that they are trying to reach not only English medium schools but also Bangla medium schools and madrasahs to aware them about the matter.
The expert also said emphasis on more collaboration with public and private sectors for the better care of the children with diabetes.
Describing the mental pressures on the parents whose children are diagnosed with diabetes, Dr Samin said, Its a trauma for parents when they first hear that their children have diabetes and they will have to take insulin which is highly expensive.
She suggested the school going students to avoid fast food, go for regular exercise to burn calories and stay healthy to avoid type 2 diabetes.
Commercial Effectiveness Manager of the Novo Nordisk Pharma Litd Md Kamal Hossain said they two similar centres in Chittagong and Faridpur, and are trying to provide similar quality supports through these centers, too.
The center in Dhaka has doctors, educators, psychologist and lab assistant to care of the children those are coming from Dhaka and other parts of the country.
The psychologist boosts the confidence of the person with diabetes and parents so that they remain stay strong mentally.
Talking to this correspondent, Khadiza Tahsin, who was diagnosed with diabetes when she was 13, said, Im hugely encouraged by doctors and psychologist here. I remain strong mentally.
Tahsin, now a second-year student of graduation level, said she finds the centre people as her family members. Im more confident today.
Afnan, a five-year old girl, said she feels like she is at home when she visits the centre every month.
Her mother said Afnan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 2.1 years and they are happy with the support they get from the CDiC.
