November 14, celebrated as Children’s Day in India is also the World Diabetes Day. Incidentally, statistics reveal that over one million children in India suffer from diabetes, many of whom do not live to see adulthood. Reportedly, of the 27,000 diabetic children (2 to 14 years of age) around the world who die of the disease every year, 12,000 or 45 per cent die in India alone. (Source: juvenilediabetes.org)
Clinical research is being touted as the way forward to tackle diabetes in children effectively. “It is unfortunate that on a day when we celebrate our children and the future that lies ahead of them, we should also be reminded of so many who suffer from and succumb to a debilitating disorder like diabetes,” said Suneela Thatte, President, Indian Society for Clinical Research. “We are in a situation in the country where new clinical trials have almost come to a standstill due to regulatory and other external challenges. What future or hope of better treatment or cure can we offer diabetics in India, a country which has earned the dubious distinction of being termed the ‘diabetes capital of the world’?” she added. It is estimated that the number of diabetics in India will increase from 61.3 million at present to 101 million by 2030.
“The need to develop more effective for diabetes remains an urgent one. It is only through clinical research that we will be able to find cures to our unmet medical needs,” says Dr Vyankatesh Shivane, Consultant Diabetologist and Metabolic Physician, and Joint Director Research Health Institute in Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mumbai. “Participating in clinical research helps increase our understanding of diabetes and contributes to providing a better quality of life for patients.”
“Our children have the right to a better and brighter future and we hope that there is a more conducive environment for clinical research in the country so that those suffering from a disease can live in hope of a cure and Children’s Day can be celebrated more meaningfully,” concluded Suneela Thatte.
EP News Bureau
