Diabetes Awarenessand National Pharmacy Week RALLY in BERHAMPUR

Berhampur : On the occasion of World Diabetes Awareness Month and National Pharmacy Week, SwasthyaSadan, Berhampur lead by Dr Sunil KumarKota, Consultant Endocrinologist & Diabetes Superspecialistin association with Roland Institute ofPharmaceutical Sciences, Berhampur has organized a Diabetes awareness rally at Berhampur.Around 200 participants registered for the event, where Sri K Anil Kumar, Hon’ble MLA, Berhampur was the chief guest with Dr Bijay Panda, CDMO, Ganjam; Dr K KPanigrahy, Secretary, IMA, Berhampur Branch; Dr SrutiJammula, Director, Roland Group of Institutes, Cardiologist Dr BadriDandapani and Dr B V V Ravi Kumar, Principal, Roland institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences as the guests of honour.

MLA Sir Anil Kumar asked everyone in the family and society as a whole to wake up to the increasing prevalence of these lifestyle disorders and stressed upon diet control and a regulated life style. Dr Bijay Panda highlighted the importance ofregular exercise and proper lifestyle in maintaining healthy life both in diabetics and nondiabetics.Dr K KPanigrahylaid emphasis upon Diabetes as a significant non communicable comorbidity giving rise to increased occurrences of complications. Dr SrutiJammulahighlighted the importance of routine screening for detection of diabetes related complications at an earlier stage and stated that these awareness programs would go a long way in making people aware about Diabetes and other lifestyle disorders.Dr B V V Ravi Kumar stressed upon the fact that because of strong familial inheritance associated with Diabetes, it is imperative upon the young generation to adopt healthy life from now onwards. DrSunil Kota emphasized upon adherence to lifestyle modification and medications along withregular testing and specialist consultation to avoid any untoward situationarising out of Diabetes. Dr NiranjanPatra, Vice Principal, Roland Institute stressed upon the theme of thisyear’s National Pharmacy week “Know you medicines; Ask your pharmacist” and called uponbudding pharmacists and the people at large to always be vigilant on self-medication andunnecessary therapy.

            Addressing the gathering, Dr Kota underscored the theme of the event ie “Breaking the Barriers; Bridging the Gap.” It is important on the part of various govt and non govt agencies to come together and enhance the logistic support to tide over the ever expanding demon of non-communicable disorders like Diabetes, Obesity, and Hypertension etc. Especially the vulnerable rural populace, who are not spared by these disorders need special attention in from of testing, treatment and monitoring of complications. Dr Kota highlighted that one informed person should be a source ofenlightenment to many.

            Sri K Anil Kumarthanked DrSunil for his tremendous efforts to build up awareness among the people from various places ofSouth Odisha. Dr Bimalendu Choudhury from the college thanked the students and faculty volunteers for joining in large numbers. Dr Kota further thanked the guests and others for their active participation.Subsequently guests flagged offthe walk, where volunteers participated conveying the theme and carried placards carrying the message of healthy living in diabetes. Therally started fromSwasthyaSadan premises near petrol pump in the New Bus stand areaand proceeded through Gokarneswar Temple, Radio Station, Lochapadato end at Danda Kali temple, Lochapada.Around 4000 diabetes educational pamphlets on Diabetes were distributedamongst the passing by people during the rally. Amongst others Neurologist Dr AnandSankarSastry, Cardiologist Dr BadriDandapani, Orthopediciian Dr Gopal Patro, Physician Dr JitendraPanigrahy, Psychiatrist Dr TikinaBehera, Dermatologist Dr Minakshi Muni, DrGunamani Jena, Dr SanatPatro, Dr Sanjit Acharya from Roland Institute of Technology; Sri B N Patnaik from Delhi Public Senior Secondary School, Dr Anjan Kumar, Dr Rajaram Dash, Dr Deepak Shadangi, other faculty and students of Roland institute of Pharmaceutical sciences, Staff of SwasthyaSadan, Volunteers too graced the occasion.