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World Diabetes Day is being observed today (November 14) in Bangladesh and across the globe to raise awareness about the disease. This year’s theme is “Diabetes: No Delays, Act Now”.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that can damage vital organs and lead to serious complications, including heart attacks, kidney failure, blindness, foot infections and, in severe cases, amputation.
Health experts say greater public awareness and community engagement are essential to preventing and managing the growing global health challenge. They emphasise that timely intervention, healthy eating habits, lifestyle changes and regular physical activity, including walking, can prevent a significant proportion of type 2 diabetes cases. Some estimates suggest that lifestyle interventions can reduce the risk by up to 50%.
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have issued separate messages marking the day.
In his message, the president urged everyone to remain aware of the harmful effects of diabetes and undergo regular blood glucose tests.
He called on people to raise awareness about the disease at home, in workplaces and across communities.
Describing diabetes as a lifelong condition requiring continuous management, the president warned that uncontrolled diabetes can cause heart attacks, other cardiovascular diseases, strokes, kidney complications, blindness and nerve and blood vessel damage. These complications can also lead to infections and, in severe cases, amputation.
In his message, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman described diabetes as one of the major public health challenges worldwide, expressing concern over the growing number of people affected by the disease in Bangladesh.
He said uncontrolled diabetes can damage vital organs, including the heart, kidneys and eyes, and may even become life-threatening.
However, he noted that early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, a healthy diet, regular physical activity and a health-conscious lifestyle can help keep the disease under control.
Although diabetes poses a serious health challenge, experts say its risks can be reduced and the condition managed through greater awareness, healthy lifestyle choices, regular exercise and timely medical care.
They have called for stronger individual and community-level initiatives to prevent diabetes and improve disease management.