Challenges in diabetes management with particular reference to India

Diabetes was estimated to be responsible for 109 thousand deaths, 1157 thousand years of life lost and for 2263 thousand disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in India during 2004. However, health systems have not matured to manage diabetes effectively. The limited studies available on diabetes care in India indicate that 50 to 60% of diabetic patients do not achieve the glycemic target of HbA1c below 7%. Awareness about and understanding of the disease is less than satisfactory among patients, leading to delayed recognition of complications. The cost of treatment, need for lifelong medication, coupled with limited availability of anti-diabetic medications in the public sector and cost in the private sector are important issues for treatment compliance. This article attempts to highlight the current constraints in the health system to effectively manage diabetes and the need for developing workable strategies for ensuring timely and appropriate management with extensive linkage and support for enhancing the availability of trained manpower, investigational facilities and drugs.