Dr Jitendra launches ‘Rural Diabetes Control Campaign’ in Varanasi village

STATE TIMES NEWS

VARANASI: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a renowned Diabetologist and Professor of Diabetes, on Friday launched Rural Diabetes Control & Prevention Campaign in village Purana Ramnagar of district Varanasi, as a part of Village Adoption Program under the aegis of “Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India” (RSSDI) – Uttar Pradesh Chapter. Speaking on the occasion as chief guest Dr Jitendra Singh said, the fast spread of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the villages is a matter of grave concern. This has prompted a mass campaign for prevention of the disease in rural areas, he said. “It was found most appropriate to make a beginning from the auspicious city of ancient and holy place of Varanasi,” he said. Dr Jitendra Singh said, the spread of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is assuming epidemic proportions in India. Earlier this disease was confined to the affluent and in cities, but now its prevalence in rural areas is alarming, he said. The disease, hitherto identified as afflicting mostly the rich and elite due to their sedentary lifestyle and a phenomenon prevalent largely in cities, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the probable causes of its upsurge in rural India is a result of commonality of eating habits such as rising penchant for fast foods, more automation in agriculture and a resultant lack of physical activity. Dr Jitendra Singh said, over the last two decades, India has seen a surge in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, which has now acquired pan-Indian proportions. He said, Type 2 Diabetes, which was till two decades ago prevalent mostly in South India, is today equally rampant in North India. “The roadmap for the next 25 years of Amrit Kal will witness the ascent of India as a front-ranking nation in the world in terms of best healthcare system,” he said. Dr Jitendra felicitated Padamshri Prof Kamalakar Tripathi and Ritesh Pal, Gram Pradhan (Village Head) of Purana Ramnagar on this occasion.