DPI/NGO Briefing

Diabetes Awareness: Tackling the Global Epidemic
In observance of World Diabetes Day (14 November)

15 November 2007

Summary

In commemorating the adoption of UN Resolution 61/225, designating 14 November World Diabetes Day, this weeks briefing was aimed at raising awareness of the silent epidemic. Diabetes is a disease on the rise, and poses a serious health threat among children and young adults, both on a global and national scale. The briefing explored the economic and psychological burdens diabetes heaps on its victims, especially its effect on the child and caretakers grappling with shortages of insulin and medical supplies, which are vital in staving off the debilitating disease.

Muhammad Ali Sorcar, Deputy Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Gojka Roglic, Technical Officer for Diabetes, World Health Organization (WHO), Martin Silink, President, International Diabetes Federation, and Francine Kaufman, Chair, World Diabetes Day Campaign, 2007-2008, discussed the importance of mobilizing feasible medical care for those stricken with type 1 and type 2 cases: as well as the need for the international community to adhere to the mandates ascribed in the resolution to further prevent the decease from claiming more lives.

Muhammad Ali Sorcar, Deputy Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations began by explaining that even though Diabetes was commonly known as a disease that afflicted the middle aged and the elderly; the epidemic did not spare children or young adults. Diabetes he added, was a precursor that often ushered in other conditions such as hypertension and heart disease. He explained the nature of the disease as having creeping tendencies that sapped the livelihood of its victims. Mr. Sorcar, praised the vision of his fellow national, Professor M. Ibrahim, a physician who was influential in gaining the initiative that led to Bangladesh’s Diabetic Association, which had now evolved into the Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM). Mr Sorcar, then shared with attendees, Bangladesh’s long but arduous journey in working with the United Nations and member states in securing the consensus that led to achieving the proclamation of World Diabetes Day. He spoke of IDF’s dedicated stance throughout the process. Finally, he assessed that as populations grew and demographics rose, it would be the responsibility of those who worked with NGO’s and government to provide prevention, methods of coping, care and devising policies of basic nutrition in tackling the disease.. He acknowledged that the main objective was to make every word come to pass in the resolution.

Martin Silink, President of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), informed attendants about IDF, an organization of 200 diabetes associations spanning 160 countries worldwide, which sought to promote universal diabetes care and prevention. Mr. Silink, in addition, stated that the IDF’s vision was to live in a world without diabetes, although having a vision was not sufficient. A campaign began through “Uniting for Diabetes”, and in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, and other major stake holders. This resulted in the UN resolution being adopted in 2006, which brought together 192 countries to agree on a plan of action in addressing this disease. Mr. SiIink expressed urgency that diabetes posed a tremendous risk to the world, especially for the billion people affected. Mr. Silink conveyed the message that the need to provide optimum care in preventing diabetes worldwide must not be ignored any longer.

Gojka Roglic, Technical Officer for Diabetes, World Health Organization, stressed the necessity for global awareness and highlighted WHO’s significant role in monitoring chronic diseases since its creation in 1948. Dr. Roglic explained how her organization and IDF had been allies and partners for over fifty years. In addition, she said this collaboration had increased diabetes awareness especially in presenting governments with hard data on its destructive presence. She went on to explain that funding was necessary for research and medical care. Moreover, WHO had led the way in making necessary treatments available to the general public. Dr. Roglic pointed out that chronic diseases, such as diabetes, were leading causes of death and obstacles to achieving the MDG’s. Dr. Roglic stipulated that partnerships with civil society needed to be strengthened to combat the spread of diabetes worldwide.

Francine Kaufman, Chair, World Diabetes Day Campaign explained her role as a specialist in endocrinology metabolism at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, California, where she worked with diabetic children. She noted the tragedy of children suffering from type 1 and type 2 phases were increasing in numbers. Therefore, the need to develop strategies in bettering lives was profound and vital. Dr. Kaufman explained the role of IDF in documenting the severity of diabetes cases, medical care, mortality rates and its estimations worldwide, through its Diabetes Atlas. In looking at the report, Dr Kaufman assessed that children with the illness experienced daily burdens. She stressed that no child should die from a disease that could be controlled. Unfortunately, children across the world were plagued by a lack of insufficient treatment, medicines and adequate care. Dr Kaufman concluded that many children suffered from delayed diagnoses which often led to coma and death. Dr Kaufman concluded that children today and days to come, deserved to have a chance for a better life, but only by joining collaborative efforts can this be achieved.

Jeffrey Huffiness, Chair, NGO/DPI Executive Committee, extended his gratitude to the leaders who were instrumental in launching the resolution that led up to the Wold Diabetes Day. He also noted the power of the youth in mobilizing the world forward.

Question and Answer Period:
Various questions pertaining to diabetes linkage with other diseases such as Alzheimer’s were raised. Mr. Silink noted that there was indeed a relation, and new discoveries were being uncovered as to the linkage, associated with depression and other mental diseases. This shows the need for more diabetes research he said. The issue of whether blood-glucose testing strips were made available to patients with diabetes, Mr. Silink commented that daily glucose monitoring had become more expensive because the regular colour changing strips had been replaced by electronic ones.

Two short films, Life for a Child and World Diabetes Day were screened at 10:00 am.

The briefing was attended by approximately 160 NGO representatives, United Nations staff and members of delegations.

Only to be filled out by NGOs associated with DPI

Accreditation
Form 2008