Reza Mahmud :
Diabetes, often referred to as a major public health concern, is witnessing a rapid surge in Bangladesh.
The cost of managing this condition is escalating, putting a significant strain on the financial capabilities of the average patient, according to experts. Reports indicate that one in seven adults in Bangladesh is affected by diabetes, with 40-60% of these cases remaining undiagnosed.
Moreover, among those diagnosed, diabetes is uncontrolled in approximately 80% of cases. This situation poses a considerable economic challenge at the national level.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas of 2021 reports that over 13 million people in Bangladesh are living with diabetes.
This figure is expected to rise to 22 million by 2025 and 43 million by 2030. Currently, Bangladesh is ranked 10th globally in terms of the diabetes burden, with projections suggesting it will climb to 7th place by 2025.
In light of this, the 68th Foundation Day of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh and Diabetes Awareness Day will be commemorated on Wednesday, 28 February 2024, featuring a range of activities nationwide.
The Diabetic Association of Bangladesh plans to host various events, including discussions to raise awareness about diabetes.
Public health experts highlight the negative impact of the rising diabetes trend on the national workforce, urging the government to prioritize efforts to combat this epidemic.
This includes adopting measures similar to those implemented in countries like Malaysia and Thailand, which involve mass exercise programs and other preventive initiatives.
Health department sources reveal a diabetes prevalence rate of 10.95% among adults in Bangladesh, contributing to approximately 572,600 deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) annually, which represents 67% of all deaths in the country.
Diabetes accounts for 10% of these NCD-related deaths. Experts attribute the increase in diabetes cases to factors such as unplanned urbanization, leading to sedentary lifestyles.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, with contributing factors including overweight, obesity, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy dietary habits. Genetic predisposition, unhealthy lifestyles, including poor sleep patterns and consumption of adulterated foods, are also significant contributors to the rising diabetes rates.
When contacted, Professor Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, former Director, Disease Control at Directorate General of Health Services, told The New Nation on Tuesday, “There are several reasons behind the increasing trend of diabetes epidemic in our country.
Beside genetic reasons, food habit and changing trend of lifestyle, are playing vital role behind diabetes hiking in the country.”
In conversations with The New Nation, healthcare professionals emphasized the need for increased awareness and government intervention to address the growing diabetes crisis in Bangladesh.
They also highlighted the importance of adopting healthier lifestyles, including regular physical activity and a balanced diet, to prevent diabetes.
The cost of diabetes treatment, including medications and insulin, is also becoming increasingly prohibitive, underscoring the urgency of preventive measures to curb this escalating health issue in Bangladesh When contacted, Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq told The New Nation, “There are above one quarter of adults are pre-diabetic or diabetic in Bangladesh.
It was reported in 2021 from official source 14.2 percent of adults are diabetic in Bangladesh which has been on surge now.”
National Professor Dr A K Azad Khan, President of Bangladesh Diabetic Samity (BADAS), said, “Like the rest of the world, Bangladesh is now suffering from an epidemic of diabetes. This epidemic is rising faster in developing countries like our country.”
Meanwhile, diabetes treatment has become huge costlier in Bangladesh as the medicines and insulin’s prices are hiking.
Number of diabetes patients told The New Nation that the medicines and insulin prices are go up which make them vulnerable.
“Everyone should be highly alert on preventing the disease as diabetes treatment has become costlier in Bangladesh due to increase of medicines and insulin. So the people should be utmost aware of preventing the disease,” AK Azad Khan said.