Over 7,000 children form human chain on World Diabetes Day in Noida

NOIDA - A group of over 7,000 children today formed a human chain here to spread awareness about diabetes on the World Diabetes Day.

Union Health Minster Ghulam Nabi Azad inaugurated the event and flagged off a van that would spread awareness on diabetes, preventive care and treatment in and around Noida.

Rashi Singhal of the Mission Foundation Diabetes, who jointly hosted this function, said that it was to spread awareness and help in fighting diabetes.

“The event that we have organised for diabetes awareness is because more and more are being affected by diabetes, it has become an epidemic. Around 50 million are affected by diabetes and an equal number remains to be identified,” said Singhal.

“Every ten seconds somebody dies of diabetes and every thirty seconds, diabetes leads to leg amputation. This event is to let people be aware of diabetes and help them in fighting it,” she added.

The human ring was not only an innovative way for awareness but was a record in itself.

“Today was an historic event; over 7000 children formed the human blue ring, India’s biggest human chain ever. The biggest chain created up till now was of 6200 people; today by creating a 7000 children human chain formation, a new record is set. This will also generate a lot of awareness about diabetes,” said Sandeep Shrivastav, Executive President, Lifeboy Child Health Congress, a co-organiser.

Addressing the gathering at the event, Union Health Minister Azad said that in five years the ministry will get the entire population of the country tested for diabetes and hypertension and help in reducing the number of diabetics.

With India having the highest number of diabetic patient in the world of around 45 million, the number is expected to rise to 69.9 million by 2025.

Since 1991, the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organisation have observed November 14 as the World Diabetes Day in response to the alarming rise of diabetes around the world. (ANI)