Bangladesh Diabetes Association (BDA) will conduct a fresh survey to find out the actual number of diabetes patients in the country, reports BSS. “We have a plan to conduct a pilot survey to get the actual figure of diabetes patients and depict the real scenario of the disease in the country,” BDA Secretary General Dr Mohammad Saif Uddin said yetserday.

International Diabetes Federation (IFD) found around 71 lakh diabetes patients in the country in 2015 but the figure is not reliable, he said, adding “So we need to carry out a fresh survey to get the actual number of patients for taking further measures to prevent the disease.” The survey would be conducted in eight upazilas of eight divisions in the country where 100 per cent population would be screened, Dr Saif Uddin said.  After completing an authentic survey, it will be possible to pay adequate attention to the specific needs and priorities of the diabetes patients.

“We need financial support of health ministry to carry out the survey which will also help it to take the next steps for formulating fresh policies,” he said, adding “The actual figure is also required for sufficient budgetary allocation in this context.” BDA also urged non-government organisations and donor agencies for providing financial support to conduct the pilot project. He also said World Diabetes Day will be observed today in the country as elsewhere in the world in a befitting manner with the theme of “Women and diabetes - our right to a healthy future”.