Diabetes in India: A Silent Epidemic Touching Every Corner
Diabetes has become a common reality across India. It quietly exists in homes, workplaces, and communities, often remaining undetected for years. The country now holds the unfortunate title of diabetes capital of the world, with millions navigating this chronic condition every single day.
Late diagnosis, mounting lifestyle pressures, increasing obesity rates, and insufficient timely guidance make diabetes management far more challenging than necessary. While India's doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:834 surpasses the WHO benchmark of 1:1000, access to affordable and consistent healthcare remains uneven across regions. This persistent gap between medical knowledge and actual care highlights why awareness campaigns are becoming as crucial as medication itself.
TOI Medithon: Bridging the Healthcare Information Gap
To address this widening divide, The Times of India introduces Medithon - a dedicated platform bringing credible medical expertise into everyday health discussions. This initiative focuses on transforming complex health topics into clear, actionable insights. As part of this campaign, the upcoming Diabetes Medithon 3 scheduled for January 16 aims to foster informed dialogue around diabetes care, prevention strategies, and long-term wellbeing. The focus extends beyond mere treatment to understanding the human experience of living with a chronic condition.
Family and Caregivers: The Unseen Foundation of Diabetes Management
The first session addresses a frequently overlooked reality: diabetes management rarely happens in isolation. Titled 'Role of Family or Caregiver in Managing Diabetes,' this discussion brings together two distinguished experts:
- Dr Saket Kant, MD, DM Endocrinology, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi
- Dr Arun Pandey, MD, DM Endocrinology, Chief Consultant & Head of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at Health City Vistaar, Lucknow
The panel will explore how emotional support, daily routines, and shared responsibilities significantly influence blood sugar control and long-term health outcomes. In countless Indian households, family members provide food choices, medication reminders, and psychological reassurance, making their role absolutely critical rather than secondary.
Food, Movement, and Mental Balance: Managing Beyond Sugar Levels
This session tackles 'Role of Diet, Exercise & Mental Health in Managing Diabetes,' addressing the most practical yet frequently misunderstood aspects of diabetes care. The panel features three eminent specialists:
- Dr Ambrish Mithal, MD, DM Endocrinology, Padma Bhushan & Dr B. C. Roy Awardee, Chairman & Head of Endocrinology & Diabetes at Max Healthcare, Delhi
- Dr Sambit Das, MD, DM Endocrinology, Professor & Head of Endocrinology at KIMS Medical College & Superspeciality Hospital, Bhubaneswar
- Dr Nitin Kapoor, MD, DM Endocrinology, Professor & Head of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at CMC Vellore
The conversation will move beyond basic calorie charts and step counts. It will examine how stress levels, sleep patterns, food habits, and physical activity interact, and why mental health often determines whether lifestyle advice actually translates into real-world results.
Dispelling Myths That Hinder Control and Confidence
The third panel discussion focuses on 'Myths in Diabetes Management.' Misinformation continues to represent one of the biggest obstacles to effective diabetes care. This session presents three expert voices:
- Dr Mathew John, MD, DM Endocrinology, Chief Endocrinologist at Providence Endocrine & Diabetes Specialty Centre, Trivandrum
- Dr Vishnu Vasudevan, MD, DM Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinologist at Jaza Lifecare Clinic & Moulana Hospital, Perinthalmanna, Kerala
- Dr Parjeet Kaur, MD, DM Endocrinology, Associate Director of Endocrinology at Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, and Vice President of Endocrine Society of Delhi
From unwarranted fears about insulin to confusion surrounding sugar substitutes, this panel will dismantle harmful beliefs that quietly undermine long-term diabetes control. Clear, accurate information often serves as the essential first step toward improved health outcomes.
Understanding Risks and Complications Before They Emerge
The final session emphasizes prevention through awareness. The panel includes:
- Dr M V Rama Mohan, MD, DM Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinologist & Diabetologist at Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic, Nellore, and Executive Committee Member of Endocrine Society of India
- Dr Lavanya Katakam, MD, DM Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinologist at Aswini Endocrine and Orthopaedic Hospital, Guntur
- Dr Haritha Galla, MD, DM Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinologist at Harita Clinic, Anantapur
This discussion will connect everyday risk factors with potential long-term complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Early awareness frequently determines whether diabetes remains manageable or becomes overwhelming over time.
The TOI Diabetes Medithon creates a shared space for learning, reflection, and informed decision-making. By uniting leading endocrinologists on a single platform, this initiative aims to replace confusion with clarity and fear with understanding. In a nation where diabetes touches nearly every family in some capacity, such conversations are not merely timely - they are absolutely essential.
