‘India is not trailing behind, we’re also building technologies for digitalising diabetes care’ – The Indian Express
A new paper suggests that the diabetes community in India has immensely benefitted from various “innovative and evolving technologies” considering that “diabetes burden” has increased worldwide with India having the second-largest numbers in the world after China with 77 million people with diabetes, as per Indian Council of Medical Research—India Diabetes (ICMR—INDIAB) study.
In addition, the October 2021 paper Digital Health and Diabetes: Where are we now? published in th…….
A new paper suggests that the diabetes community in India has immensely benefitted from various “innovative and evolving technologies” considering that “diabetes burden” has increased worldwide with India having the second-largest numbers in the world after China with 77 million people with diabetes, as per Indian Council of Medical Research—India Diabetes (ICMR—INDIAB) study.
In addition, the October 2021 paper Digital Health and Diabetes: Where are we now? published in the Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism journal notes that the data gathered using digital technologies helps to improve the quality of healthcare by facilitating better therapeutic decisions and eventually addressing the rising burden of diabetes considering India also has a high prevalence of prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes.
What is digital health?
Digital health comprises technologies, platforms, and systems to encourage lifestyle, wellness, and provide treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes, said Dr Pritam Moon, consultant physician, Wockhardt Hospital Mira Road.
“The use of digital technology has been effective in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Telemedicine has immensely supported the healthcare providers in the country for diabetes management during these unprecedented times. Digital solutions have supported patients with diabetes to improve their outcomes and avail high-quality and cost-effective care,” Dr Moon said.
What exactly is this technology?
Paper authors Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, Gopika Krishnan and Viswanathan Mohan — mention how the diabetes community has been adopting various technologies such as connected glucose meters, continuous glucose monitoring systems, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, closed-loop systems, digitalisation of health data, and diabetes-related apps for the prevention and management of the condition.
“With rapid surge in diabetes and it’s costly complications the only solution is harnessing the benefits of cost-effective technologies. Patients need continued education, counselling and coaching. There are a few mobile health technologies which are really good in delivering these services. Currently costly technologies are used for treating complications of diabetes in hospitals. Instead, patients can be trained and empowered to use simple technologies for monitoring glucose, blood pressure, titrating dosages of insulin, communicating with doctors via telemedicine, etc., which could save money and also lives,” Dr Kesavadev, diabetologist and MD of Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Centres told indianexpress.com.
How is it a significant step for diabetes care?
Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach – Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine and Founder of YouCare – All about YOU by Luke Coutinho believes “the integration of technology in diabetes management” is an excellent step towards changing the face of this epidemic in our country and the world.
“One thing that we are constantly being reminded of through our day-to-day practice is the fact that each of us are bio individuals, in not just genes, but also the way our body responds to a …….
