According to the health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), obesity is more common in women than in men, and weight problems affect 60% of mumbai residents and put them at risk for diabetes.
Data was released ahead of World Diabetes Day, revealing that at present, 18% of Mumbaikars between the ages of 18 and 69 have diabetes or impaired fasting blood sugar (above 126 mg/dl), with another 16% falling into the pre-diabetes category.
Diabetes is a condition that many people are unaware they have, which can have a number of complications, according to Executive Health Officer Dr. Daksha Shah. She further added that It is very important to be aware and check the blood sugar level on a regular basis.
Dr. Shah also stated that people who are obese and sedentary have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which usually affects those who are 35 years of age and older. Cardiovascular diseases, which cause almost one-fourth of all deaths in the city, are more likely to occur as a result of this condition.
Diabetes primary testing and diagnostic services are provided by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Health Service. At municipal clinics and APA Clinics, between 60,000 and 70,000 citizens are screened for diabetes and blood pressure each month. Approximately 50,000 of these patients receive regular diabetes treatment.
Since January, the BMC has screened about 1.3 lakh people, and 12,000 of them have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
The BMC Public Health Department intends to begin diabetes screening on November 20 at various locations throughout the city.
A health official said that it is a matter of concern for all, as non-communicable diseases are becoming more prevalent nationwide. In addition, silent killers like diabetes, hypertension, heart attacks, and cancer exist. Testing for diabetes will enable the BMC to determine the precise number of individuals afflicted with the condition.
Recently a survey was conducted by BMC and the World Health Organization of the households. In the survey, they collected data on risk factors via in-person interviews (step 1), basic physical examinations (step 2), and the collection of urine and blood samples for biochemical analysis (step 3). The survey revealed that 18% of respondents had elevated fasting blood glucose levels of more than 126 mg/dl (normal: 70-99).
The results were in line with the 2019–20 National Family Health Survey–5, which reported that 17% of women and 18% of men over the age of 15 had random blood glucose levels higher than 140 mg/dl.
Over 250,000 people have been tested for diabetes since August 2022, and screenings at diabetes and hypertension centres (NCD corners) in 26 civic-run hospitals have found a 12% incidence rate of the disease. A BMC door-to-door survey that has surveyed 1.3 lakh people so far has found a 9% diabetes rate.
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