NNEF and Karnataka government pledge to improve access to care for patients living with diabetes

The Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF) and the Government of Karnataka last week pledged to work together to improve access to education, treatment and care for people living with diabetes and obesity in the state. The parties will work together to create an action plan that positively impacts the lives of people who live with the two chronic diseases. The proposed action plan includes the setting up of multiple Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across medical colleges in Karnataka and the education of doctors and patients who live with the condition, as per a statement from NNEF.

The statement noted that the data from the National Family Health Survey – five report for Karnataka shows the percentage of women who live with overweight or obesity (BMI =25.0 kg/m2) has increased from 23.3 per cent in 2015-16 to 30.1 per cent in 2019-20. The same for men has increased from 22.1 per cent to 30.9 per cent in the same time frame. For children, this number has gone up to 3.2 per cent. Further, 67 per cent people with type-II diabetes in India live with overweight or obesity and 57 per cent of adults living with diabetes remain undiagnosed. Hence, it becomes critical to increase awareness, access to diabetes care and help with early diagnosis for patients.

Further, according to the statement, K Sudhakar, Minister of Health, Government of Karnataka, said, “Our state government has been very proactive over the last two years in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Post the pandemic, when we were looking at health and welfare for residents of our state, we realised that diabetes and obesity have been silent killers with an equally large footprint.”

He also added, “We are delighted that a global leader like Novo Nordisk Education Foundation with its India headquarters in Bengaluru is working on this initiative to reduce the complications that arise due to diabetes and obesity. We are also glad they have volunteered to share some of their expertise and knowledge with Karnataka. We will be happy to discuss and bring forth possible solutions to the people of this state.”