PANAJI
In the run-up to World Diabetes Day on November 14, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation unveiled the second-year report of its IMPACT India: 1000-Day Challenge’ programme.
Launched on the eve of World Diabetes Day 2018, the India Diabetes Care Index (iDCI) was a real-time tool to track the progress of diabetes control at a national and select city level. Goa was included in the study and according to the latest iDCI report, the average HbA1c level in Goa was recorded at 8.46 % in September 2020. The average HbA1c level has marginally increased compared to last year’s figures and the prevailing high HbA1c levels is still a matter of deep concern especially in the light of the pandemic which puts people with uncontrolled diabetes at a higher risk of a fatal outcome and serious health complications.
Speaking on the report, Dr Ankush Desai, Professor Endocrinology at the Department of Medicine in Goa Medical College (GMC) stated, “The high level of HbA1c in Goa is worrisome since the risk of fatal outcome and severe health complications from Covid-19 is up to 50% higher among the diabetics. People with diabetes who develop mild Covid infection should refrain from opting for home isolation unless their HbA1c is <7 % and take the responsibility for self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose at home.”
It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, consume a proper diet, exercise regularly, and monitor the diabetes control levels at regular intervals to channel the glucose levels efficiently. Furthermore, uncontrolled diabetes damages the vital organs like heart, kidney, eyes, etc. and can prove to be fatal, advised Dr Desai.
The data from iDCI shows that the HbA1c as of Jan-June 2018 was 8.22 % which has slightly increased to 8.46 % as per the July to Sept 2020 report. With the second wave of Covid-19 appearing in some parts of Europe, people with diabetes in India need to be vigilant of their diabetes control to avoid the severe outcomes in the unfortunate event of contraction of Covid-19. In the current pandemic crises, people with diabetes should keep an adequate stock of medications and supplies for monitoring blood glucose at home. If symptoms like difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, fever, dry cough, tiredness, aches and pains, sore throat, headache, loss of taste or smell are experienced, immediate medical attention should be sought.
