Nearly one in two people in India don’t receive the diabetes education they need at diagnosis: IDF

A new research from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has revealed that nearly half (43 per cent) of people living with diabetes in India did not receive sufficient information and education about their condition when they were diagnosed. The figures – released ahead of the World Diabetes Day on 14th November – also show that just under one in three (31 per cent) do not receive regular education from their healthcare provider, with one in five (20 per cent) feeling they do not have access to diabetes education.

More than 74 million people are living with diabetes in India, according to the latest IDF estimates released in 2021. The majority are spending less than two hours per year in consultation with a healthcare professional. Two thirds (66 per cent) of people living with diabetes in India reported appointments of less than 15 minutes, which is not sufficient to discuss treatment and provide advice on important topics such as diet and exercise. Furthermore, over one in three (42 per cent) do not have in-person or online consultations with a diabetes educator, nurse or dietitian to receive additional information to help manage their condition.

By 2030, IDF predicts that the number of people living with diabetes in India will have surpassed 92 million. This places a strain on healthcare resources and may push people to seek advice through informal, non-medical channels. IDF’s research suggests that one in three people in India turn to Google (33 per cent) for their diabetes education, and just under a third (29 per cent) turn to social media.

The research also shows that there is a gap in funding and investment for diabetes education for healthcare professionals living in India. Although many doctors and nurses are trying to support people in their care by improving their diabetes knowledge, just under half (44 per cent) have to self-fund all of their diabetes training. Furthermore, many healthcare professionals in India were found to lack sufficient printed or digital resources, with almost one in five (19 per cent) indicating that they did not have access to educational tools that they could pass on to their patients.