During November, to mark World Diabetes Day, the Charity Union of Persons with Disabilities and People with Diabetes Mellitus in Uzbekistan (UMID) organised several events in the Tashkent region in collaboration with the Regional Endocrinological Dispensary.
Global Diabetes Walk
On November 5, UMID participated in the Global Diabetes Walk by holding a walk in the Tashkent region. The event was attended by people living with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as their families and healthcare professionals. The Global Diabetes Walk, an initiative of the Global Diabetes Foundation, takes place every year in November and aims to raise awareness of diabetes.
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Assistance to people living with diabetes from low-income families
On the same day, the association provided consultative and diagnostic assistance to 50 people living with diabetes (PwD) from low-income families, aged between 55 and 70. The visits included BMI and glycaemia measurements as well as ophthalmic, cardiovascular, endocrinological and podiatric examinations.
The results of the examinations detected the presence of diabetes-related complications in 92% of the PwD. Diabetic retinopathy was detected in 38% of them, of which 16% was at the proliferative stage and 3% had already reached blindness in one eye. Diabetic neuropathy was found in 89.7% of the people examined, and 6% of them had previously experienced limb complications resulting in amputation. Arterial hypertension was detected in 66% of the people visited.
During the examinations, PwD also had the chance to learn about insulin therapy and the importance of a healthy diet, physical activity and the prevention of diabetes-related complications, including the rules of foot care. Additionally, in order to support PwD in controlling their blood sugar levels, UMID provided each of them with a glucose meter and 50 test strips as well as lunch boxes with healthy foods. Until then, none of them had had access to a glucose meter.
The results of the examinations highlighted the critical importance of diabetes education and access to self-management devices for reducing the development of life-altering complications. All PwD involved in the initiative expressed great gratitude to the organisation for the medical and humanitarian assistance they received.
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Seminar – “Multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of diabetes-related complications – acting today to improve tomorrow”
On November 8, UMID organised a seminar in the Yukori Chirchik district, titled “Multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of diabetes-related complications – acting today to improve tomorrow”. The seminar was attended by 103 healthcare professionals from the Tashkent region as well as leading professors of endocrinology, ophthalmology, cardiology and podiatry from specialised centres. Participants actively engaged during the event and expressed their wish to attend and organise seminars on diabetes-related complications more often, as this could significantly improve the quality of specialised care for PwD in the region.
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