In Keeping with this year's theme for World Health Day on April 7, 'Halt the rise, Beat diabetes', the Punjab government has decided to organize free blood sugar test camps in all district as well as sub divisional hospitals of the State on 7th April.Revealing this here today Ms. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Punjab said that these camps would be held from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. during which people could get their blood sugar tested free of cost. However, she said that the patients were being tested free for diabetes in all government hospitals on April 6 also. She said that the patients have been asked to come empty stomach in the morning for the blood sugar test. Anyone diagnosed with high/low sugar levels / diabetes would be referred to the Medical Specialists for further advice and if, required they would be given medicines free of cost. She said that as per ICMR study the prevalence rate of Diabetes is 9.8 % in Punjab. Meanwhile, all the civil surgeons have been asked to ensure the holding of these health camps in the hospitals under their jurisdiction.
Expressing concern over the rise in Diabetic cases in school going children, Ms Mahajan said that she would take up the issue with the school managements and ensure that during the periodic health check ups in schools, diabetic screening is also done. All government and aided school children have been covered under school health programme launched exclusively for school going children.A lot of emphasis was being laid upon prevention of life style diseases in the State through education and awareness generation to maintain a healthy life style. Ms. Vini Mahajan further informed that symptoms of diabetes may include frequent urge of thirst and urination, fatigue weakness, delayed healing of wounds, unexplained weight loss, numbness in hands or feet etc. Anyone having such symptoms should get the requisite investigations done from the nearest health institution.