World Diabetes Day program
World Diabetes Day was commemorated on November 14, 2007, at Ongole in collaboration with the Prakasam district administration, Government of Andhra Pradesh, as part of LVPEI’s diabetes prevention initiative. A public rally was inaugurated by Joint Collector Mr Dinakar Babu, along with other district officials Dr Sonar Babu, District Medical and Health Officer; Dr Durga Prasad, district community health services; and Mr Malligarjuna Shastry, District Educational Officer. Over 1000 people including schoolchildren, self-help group members, NGOs and nursing college students participated in the rally, along with the LVPEI team.
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Public seminar: At a public seminar later, Mr Jachin Williams welcomed the gathering. Dr Sonar Babu inaugurated the seminar and Dr Nalluri Raghava Rao, former state president, Indian Medical Association, delivered a special address. Other dignitaries present included Dr Challamaiah, ophthalmic surgeon at Ongole, Mr Mallikarjuna Shastry, DEO, Dr Murali, District Program Manager, District Blindness Control Society, and Mr Srinivas, local representative of Ravi Srikanth Foundation. Dr Seetharamaiah, diabetologist, spoke on diabetes, followed by a talk by Ms Sunitha Sapur from Akshaya Foundation. Dr Ajit Babu, Head, Retina Services, LVPEI, spoke on diabetic retinopathy. Essay writing, elocution and poster competitions were organized, in which 110 schoolchildren from 25 schools participated; the winners were given prizes and certificates. A cultural unit from ASSIST India also performed a song and skit to raise awareness. The seminar ended with a vote of thanks by Ms Sheeladevi, Manager – Projects, ICARE – LVPEI.
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Vision and diabetes screening: Earlier, teams from LVPEI conducted an enumeration and vision-screening program from November 1-10 in Madanoor village in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association, Ongole. Vision screening was done for 3800 persons, all above the age of 5, and urine and blood sugar estimation was done for those above 40 years. The team identified 610 persons with eye problems. A sugar estimation was performed for 660 people of which 92 were known diabetics; 118 persons were identified with high blood sugar. All those identified with eye problems and high blood sugar levels were referred for further screening.
On November 11, 2007, a mega medical screening program was organized at Madanoor village, with 2 diabetologists, 2 ophthalmologists and other supporting staff. A total of 300 people were given referrals and free medicines were distributed. Mr Rama Rao, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, and Dr Sonar Babu inaugurated the screening program.
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A press meet was organized on November 12, 2007; the program was covered well by the local newspapers and TV channels, with a one-hour exclusive telecast.
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