Educational Program for Young Diabetics organised at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal

Manipal: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Govt. of India funded Young Diabetes Registry (YDR) Phase III & Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College & Hospital, Manipal in association with Department of Pediatrics & Pediatrics Endocrinology Clinic, Manipal has organized one day Educational Program for Young Diabetics.

Many young diabetics (2-25 years old) have participated with their caretakers. The fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), along with anthropometric and vital parameters, were measured at free of cost. The program was inaugurated with the opening notes from Dr. Shivashankara KN, Professor of Medicine and In-charge of YDR III at KMC, Manipal, and Dr. Leslie Edward Lewis, Professor, and Head, Department of Paediatrics, KMC, Manipal, followed by an overview on the program by Dr. Koushik Urala H, Associate Professor and Paediatric Endocrinologist, Department of Paediatrics, KMC, Manipal. Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal was the chief guest for the valedecitory program. Dr. S S Prasad, Associated Dean, KMC Manipal was the guests of honour for the program.

Dr Avinash Shetty, highlighted the importance of early education and continuous support for young diabetics, underscoring that awareness and proactive management play a crucial role in improving long-term health outcomes. Dr. S. S. Prasad, expressed his appreciation for the initiative, acknowledging the need for comprehensive educational programs that address the challenges faced by young diabetics.

The educational and practice sessions were conducted with the help of the Department of Yoga Centre for Integrative Medicine & Research, MAHE, Department of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Department of Physiotherapy, Department of Psychetry and Department of Ophthalmology followed by the free Yoga consultation & demonstration, diet demonstration for every meal with complete scientific nutritional knowledge, diabetic foot care awareness, and eye check-up for diabetic complications respectively by these departments.

Self-introduction by young diabetics, inspirational talks, participation in fun games, quizzes, and cultural programs were added events to the program, which helped us motivate the young patients to cheer up. Diabetic food provided to young diabetic patients and their caretakers. Dr Koushik Urala, Pediatric endocrinologist was the chief coordinator of the program along with Dr Ajith and Ms Jyothi from ICMR YDR.