Dr CD Saudek, Director Johns Hopkins Diabetes Center, Baltimore, USA (American Diabetes Association President 2002) during his visit to India was with Diabscreen Kerala for 2 hours on Feb. 03, 2006 from 4.00 pm IST. In this very unique programme organized by Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, Dr CD Saudek made a fantastic lecture and also interacted with the patients, public and invitees from the print and electronic media.

Honorable Minister Dr MK Muneer in his inaugural speech congratulated Diabscreen Kerala team for granting an opportunity to patients in the city of Trivandrum to share an evening with a world-renowned endocrinologist from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Shri. Peethambara Kurup was in the chair. Among the audience there were more that 70 patients from Dr Jothydev's Diabetes Center (www.jothydev.net) of which more than a dozen on paradigm insulin pumps. The evening programme was made very lively because of the precise and sharp answers from Dr Saudek in response to the more than 40 questions from the press and patients. Dr Saudek in response to Dr Muneer's question said that the collection of stem cells from the umbilical cord, until date has no evidence to support neither the prevention nor the treatment of diabetes. The research in developing an artificial pancreas is a step ahead to the development of external insulin pumps and is fast progressing.

It is true that successful treatment of diabetes through self-monitoring of blood glucose, periodic laboratory examinations and multiple medications to prevent future complications is a very expensive modality. Modern insulin pumps, new analogue insulins, home blood glucose monitoring etc.etc.are cost effective considering the cost of management of complications. Answering to a question he said that the poor people may not be able to afford preventive care; however, in a country like India where diabetes is growing fast unlike any other part of the world the most cost effective method will be prevention of diabetes with diet and exercise.

Dr Jothydev Kesavadev concluded with the remarks that the diabetes prevention trails throws light into the fact that maintaining ideal bodyweight through diet and exercise can effectively prevent diabetes in the vast majority of people in spite of genetic and environmental factors. Dr. Shabeer A Rasheed offered vote of thanks.

Among the dignitaries who participated include Dr Balagopal PG ( Neuro Oncologist RCC, Tvm), Adv. VG. Govindan Nair, Adv. Yunous Kunju (Human rights), Appukuttan Nair (Former KSRTC, MD), John Mary (Outlook), Devasia ( Khaleej times), JB Mohan (Our tutorial ) etc.etc..

Mrs. Sunitha Jothydev assisted by Pradeep Kannamoola and Jayasreelally organized this event on behalf of Diabscreen Kerala.