5 Important Things Diabetes Patients Should Receive and ‘Access’
Special Health Section on World Diabetes Day
It is surprising that despite millions of people worldwide living with diabetes, most people in the world are still referred to as “inaccessible” to diabetes treatment according to latest information fromThe Diabetes Association of Thailand reveals that diabetes in Thailand ranks as the second most common service provided for outpatient care in all hospitals.
- Thailand has about 5 million diabetes patients, accounting for 1 in 10 of the population aged 15 and up
- The rate is increasing by approximately 100,000 people per year.
Since many diabetes patients need proper care to avoid complications such as cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney failure, Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, led byDr. Phonphan Pruksagon, an endocrinology and metabolism specialist at the Department of Internal Medicine, is preparing to provide consultation and treatment to diabetes patients in areas of care, dietary control, pharmaceuticals, and equipment with support fromspecialized physicians, nutritionists, pharmacists, and a multidisciplinary team aiming to enable diabetes patients to “access” sustainable self-care and treatment.
5 Things Diabetes Patients Should “Access”
-
Access toInsulin: Although insulin was discovered 100 years ago, millions of diabetes patients still cannot receive necessary insulin.
-
Access to Diabetes Medication: Some essential medicines are unavailable in certain countries or remain unaffordable due to high prices.
-
Access to Self-Monitoring: Blood tests for treatment monitoring are essential, but many diabetes patients cannot purchase blood sugar monitors.
-
Access to Knowledge and Mental Care: Diabetes patients should continuously receive knowledge for self-care, but many cannot access information resources or receive mental health care.
-
Access to Healthy Food and Safe Exercise Locations: Diabetes patients or those at risk should be cared for and prevented from diabetes based on receiving healthy food and utilizing safe exercise locations.
Additionally, doctors advise that in order to treat diabetes and reduce complications, one should reduce sweet, oily, and salty foods, increase vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes 3-5 times a week, get adequate sleep, avoid smoking and alcohol, take diabetes medicine regularly, have blood tests as per doctor’s appointment have a health checkup once a year, and get vaccinated as recommended by a doctor. Click for more information
Every November 14 is World Diabetes Day. The campaign topic for 2021-2023 is access to diabetes carediabetes (Access to Diabetes Care), highlighting issues that need urgent resolution. Diabetes is a behaviorally driven disease, necessitating cooperation from all related sectors to campaign for awareness and avoidance of risk factors to stay away from diabetes.
Source: The Diabetes Association of Thailand, International Diabetes Federation: World Diabetes Day 2021-2023
Best wishes from
Endocrinologist and Metabolism Specialist
Department of Internal Medicine | Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai
Call 052 089 888 or Call Center 1719
Related Articles
