Congenital diabetes on rise

Staff Reporter :

Type-1 or congenital diabetes is on the rise in Bangladesh. Due to a lack of awareness and knowledge among parents, children affected by this condition are facing various serious complications – some are even dying prematurely.

This was stated by speakers at a day-long awareness and training camp organized by the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS) and Novo Nordisk on Thursday at BRAC CDM Centre. The camp was held for children with type-1 diabetes and their parents.

In her keynote speech, Dr. Bedoura Zabeen, Director of PDRC at the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh and a renowned pediatric endocrinologist, said that the number of children affected by type-1 diabetes is steadily increasing in Bangladesh, posing a significant threat to building a healthy and vibrant future generation. She stressed that widespread public awareness is essential to combat the risks posed by silent killers like diabetes.

BADAS General Secretary Mohammad Saifuddin delivered a goodwill message virtually as a special guest. Also present at the event was BADAS publication and public relations representative Farid Kabir.

Young advocates Prottay and Adiba, who are living with diabetes, shared their personal experiences on behalf of other affected children.

Speakers at the event called on the general public to come forward with greater awareness to combat the threat of silent killers like diabetes and urged for a coordinated national effort to address the growing risk of diabetes in the country.

The event included training sessions and experience-sharing activities for diabetic children and their parents on how to manage the disease.