Odisha Experts Warn Of Diabetes Among COVID Recovered; Advice Caution

Bhubaneswar: Experts have observed that COVID-19 has infected more number of people with diabetes making the battle even tougher for them.

“COVID virus easily infected persons with diabetes and these patients subsequently became critical,” said Prof Abhay Kumar Sahu, Head of department of Endocrinology at Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, said. He described both COVID and diabetes as two edges of the same sword.

Another worrying factor was that the drugs administered to treat coronavirus in non-diabetic patients often led to those persons becoming diabetic subsequently, said Prof. Sahu. He was speaking at a programme organised in the hospital to mark World Diabetes Day on
Sunday.

The theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day was ‘Access to Diabetes Care’ meaning all should have access to proper diabetes treatment.
Prof. Sahu said while 11 to 12 per cent of the urban population was found to be diabetic, it was 8 to 15 per cent in those living in rural areas. While those in urban centres had access to proper diabetes care, it was not available to people living in villages.

A free health camp was organised in the hospital to mark the day. Prof. Pusparaj Samantasinhar, Medical Superintendent, said IMS and SUM Hospital organised walkathons, rallies, street corner plays and free health camps on the day to make people aware about diabetes.

“Our aim is to ensure that people get required advice about the condition and get access to proper treatment,” he said.

People are yet to know how to use insulin in the battle against diabetes, said Prof. Jaybhanu Kanwar, department of Endocrinology. The need was to spread awareness about early detection of the condition, proper treatment and eradication, he said.

Associate Professor in the department, Dr. Swayamsidha Mangaraj, Associate Professor Dr. Jayashree Swain, DM Resident Doctors Dr. Ankit Manglunia, Dr. Jashprit Singh, Dr. Puja Jadhao, Dr SL Srabya, Senior Dietician Suryasikha Mohanty, Dietician Tanaya Baral,  Physiotherapist Dr. Arabinda Rath, Deputy Director Priyabrat Das, DGM (Operation) Pushpanjali Rout, Junior Hospital Administrators Mr. Sashi Bhushan Giri and Prabhat Kumar Nayak, staff nurses and other staff members were present.