Shillong. June 16: Bansara Eye Care Centre, Shillong today organised a Free Comprehensive Eye, Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Camp at Youth Hostel in the city.
The Screening Camp was inaugurated by Meghalaya Governor, Shri. V.Shanmuganathan in the presence of Former Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, Shri.W.M.S Pariat, Dr. Jennifer V. Basaiawmoit, Medical Director, Bansara Eye Care Centre, Smt. Kirza B. Kirstensen,Senior Programme Manager, World Diabetes Foundation, Denmark, members of the Lions Club, Shillong, representatives of the Meghalaya Women’s Alliance from among others.
The Governor in his address said that diabetes, the cause of which includes obesity and lifestyle changes, is a gateway to many other diseases while also stressing on the fact of how Diabetic Retinopathy has come to be a leading cause of blindness.
Recalling first hand experiences of having seen the plight of diabetic patients, the Governor stated that he has seen cases of acquaintances whose limbs had to be amputated due to the effects of diabetes.
Midway, through his speech, the Governor in his inimitable style interacted with people on and off the dais on avoidable blindness, diabetes and allied complications, as well as on the ways and means to prevent or treat them.
Shri. W.M.S Pariat meanwhile stated that diabetes has come to be a problematic disease since it is an ailment with no clear symptoms, making it hard to detect the disease, further adding that it becomes essential to undergo tests from time to time in order to know if one has any signs of this disease.
Smt. Kirstensen , in her speech informed that her foundation is currently supporting 200 projects worldwide with 10 % of those projects being in India. She stated that diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in this day and age, with it, leading to complications like stroke, kidney problems, blindness and amputations.
It may be mentioned that Diabetes and related complications are caused by improper diet, lack of exercise, and failure to undertake regular medical tests. It becomes important therefore, that one takes a balanced diet and undergoes regular screenings in addition to performing exercises on a daily basis in order that the disease can be avoided.
