Calls for early screening, regular checks as Goa stares at diabetes crisis

Panaji: With around 26% of Goa’s population being diabetic and another 20% at the pre-diabetic stage, head of GMC’s endocrinology department, Dr Ankush Desai, on Monday said early screening and running testing programmes are a must to reduce prevalence of the silent killer.

Desai said that patient attendance for regular check-ups is low, with many failing to maintain consistent follow-up appointments.

Speaking during a function in Panaji to commemorate World Diabetes Day, he stressed the need to establish a centre of excellence that would enable healthcare professionals to provide superior healthcare services to patients.

“If we had a centre of excellence, we would see to it that we give them the best of care,” he said.

Desai said regular glucose monitoring is crucial for individuals with diabetes. “We need to see to it that most people get access to continuous glucose monitoring,” he added.

Director of health services, Dr Vandana Dhume, said, “The onset of diabetes often occurs silently, yet its impact on health can be severe. In Goa, the situation is particularly concerning, with more than 26% of people affected by this long-term medical condition, presenting a significant challenge to our public healthcare system.”

Desai said members of the general public should be made aware of the associated dangers, warning signs of diabetes, and ways to prevent it.

He further said that it is essential for individuals to grasp the significance of routine health checks, proper nutrition, and regular physical activity as key elements in managing and preventing this health condition.