Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with Apollo Sugar, One Touch J&J and Abbott are organizing a massive Drive Against Diabetes (DAD) 2014 on 14th November 2014 in conjunction with World Diabetes Day across Delhi NCR, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
The Industry recognizes the need to make health a boardroom agenda and with this intent, we began the Drive Against Diabetes in the city of Mumbai in 2013.
Exactly a year later, we are back with the second phase of this Drive Against Diabetes across 3 cities.
India plays host to one of the largest diabetic population in the world and according to the International Diabetes Federation IDF statistics, there are 100+ million diabetics & pre-diabetics in the country, and growing at an unprecedented rate.
Grim truths like, most cases of Diabetes being still undiagnosed, diabetes continues to remain one of the costliest diseases; however, this is preventable and most importantly easily controllable. This Drive is aimed at dispelling myths and promoting healthy diet and nutrition among the workforce population.
CII’s Member companies (BHEL, GAIL, ONGC, ICICI, J&J, Abbott, Reliance, Aptech, BCG, HDFC, Blue Star among others) will host camp stations at various corporate locations to screen and sensitize over 30,000 employees from the workforce community.
The private sector has stepped forward to provide screening kits and diagnostic support alongside training and capacity building for the paramedics. Key corporate partners included Apollo Sugar Clinics Ltd, Abbott, and One Touch J&J.
This is a corporate led initiative, and a first of its kind for its scale and reach.
BYTES:
SHOBANA KAMINENI, Chairperson CII National Committee on Public health & Executive Director – New Initiatives Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited.
‘CII Members and corporates have already come forward to conduct several of these screening camps engaging paramedics, and diebetologists across Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Hyderabad.’
CHANDRAJIT BANERJEE, DIRECTOR GENERAL, CII
“This is an instance of mobilizing massive capacity and synchronous corporate action towards an increasing public health concern about NCDs. The Industry has once again come together for this Drive Against Diabetes (DAD) 2014 – the ambition is to create awareness of diabetes and not focus on numbers alone.”
Mr Gagan Bhalla, CEO, Apollo Sugar
“Apollo Sugar is happy to collaborate with CII in the mass screening campaign. We believe it is the moral responsibility of the corporate to ensure well-being of their employees and conducting such screenings is the first step. Studies show that the average person with diabetes in urban India spends approx. Rs. 30,000 per year on treatment. Unfortunately, the cost of late diagnosis of diabetes is likely to result in 10 to 18 times higher spending – these kinds of staggering numbers are a substantial financial drain and even a cause for indebtedness for families. Early diagnosis through screening for each and every individual hence, becomes important.”
Mr. Sushobhan Dasgupta, Managing Director – India, VP – Diabetes Care Asia Pacific, Johnson & Johnson Medical India
“Unfortunately we all live in the Diabetes Capital of the World and this Drive against Diabetes is a small collaborative step of getting like minded organizations come together and give back to the community we live in. We though have a long way to go and we at Johnson & Johnson India are extremely proud to be a part of this collaborative effort.”
Mr. Dilip Rajan, Country Head and General Manger Abbott Diabetes Care
“Screening remains the first step in overall diabetes management. Our primary objective was to create screening opportunities for the residents, and sensitize and create awareness about the importance of timely diagnosis and prevention. At Abbott Diabetes Care, we are committed to provide unwavering support to patients in their pursuit for good health and remain dedicated to tackling the growing challenge of Diabetes in India, We are proud to have partnered with CII in the ‘Drive against Diabetes’ on 14th November 2014 in conjunction with World Diabetes Day across Delhi NCR, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
New Delhi
14th November 2014