Meet and chat with Dr Christopher D. Saudek, Diabscreen Kerala,
Trivandrum, India
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.
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