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Government & Private Sector Should Work Together to Control Diabetes: Sreemathi Teacher

To prevent and control the growing threat stemming from diabetes, both the Government and private sector should work together, said PK Sreemathi Teacher, Kerala State Minister for Health and Social Welfare.

The minister was speaking after inaugurating the War Against Diabetes (WAD) campaign being implemented by Dhathri Ayurveda Pvt Ltd as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative under the leadership of Managing Director Dr S Sajikumar who is also the recipient of the coveted 'Yuva Prathiba' award instituted by the state Government for the best Ayurveda doctor for this year.

A greater vigour has been injected into the ongoing campaign against diabetes by restructuring the Indian Institute of Diabetes. One of the main recommendations submitted before the 13th finance commission pertaining to this aspect is expected to be cleared soon. Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor said widespread awareness was a primary necessity in the fight against diabetes. The strategy in dealing with diabetes should stress on prevention and control since the disease is better managed than cured. Though many people still continue to use Ayurveda medicines, the real problem, according to the Dinesh Chand Kotach, National Consultant of World Health Organisation (WHO) is caused by their unwillingness to conform to a lifestyle as per the norms laid down by the Ayurvedic texts.

While Sreemathi Teacher unveiled the campaign logo, Shashi Tharoor inaugurated the website dedicated to WAD. Main speakers at the inaugural function included Director Ayurveda Medical Education Dr MR Vasudevan Namboodiri, Director and CEO Indian Institute of Diabetes, Meenu Hariharan, Director, ISM, Dr Anita Jacob, Diabetic Diet Consultant, Dr Lalitha Appukkuttan and Joint Secretary, AMAI, Dr Justin Jose.

As part of this noble initiative, Dr Sajikumar said, Dhathri Ayurveda would organise 100 medical camps across the state within one year. Each camp would have a team comprising a diabetologist, Ayurveda doctor and dietician, he said.

As India has earned the dubious distinction of the world capital for diabetes, the goal of the WAD campaign is to disseminate right information on diabetes, create mass social awareness against the threat and make available quality Ayurveda treatment at an affordable price.

Head (Operations) Dhathri Ayurveda Bhaskar Vidyashankar proposed vote of thanks.