Women Vital In Managing And Preventing Diabetes

Wed, 02 Nov 2011

Women play a huge role in supporting and managing family members with diabetes in India, a new study has revealed.

The Heal Foundation, a Mumbai-based non-profit organisation, carried out a survey on 500 Mumbai families that had at least one person suffering from long-standing diabetes .

They found that 48 per cent of the diabetics managed their condition on their own. However, 90 per cent of the rest depended on women – either a mother, wife, sister or daughter - for support.

In addition, the findings showed that nearly three-quarters of patients monitored their blood sugar levels only once every one-three months, while just 14 per cent regularly go to hospital to get glucose tests done.

Dr Sonal Modi, chief nutritionist and diabetes educator at Dr Chandalia’s Diabetes Endocrine Nutrition Management Centre, explained that women actively participate in the implementation of the three main aspects of management of type 2 diabetes; a healthy diet, exercise, and regular monitoring of the disease.

Ranjeeta Vinil, founder director of Saarathi Healthcare, said: "People die of diabetic complications and not diabetes . Diabetes complications are caused by poor disease management. Therefore, the role of women in managing diabetes and even preventing it is huge."

She added that it was a bit unfair to put the responsibility of providing care on women, but stressed "that’s how our society is organised". "Men should begin participating in these matters. It will add tremendous value to the management of diseases like diabetes in India ."

Vinil was speaking at the 'Women 4 Diabetes Care' initiative, which was launched on Tuesday by The Heal Foundation in a bid to spread awareness and educate women about how they can help diabetics manage the disease better.

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