Controlling diabetes during pregnancy is essential not just for the mother’s well-being but also for ensuring a healthier future for the child. Effective management of gestational diabetes can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes in the next generation, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the 12th edition of the international conference ‘Hello Diabetes’, jointly organized by leading medical bodies including the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India, Indian Podiatry Association, Indian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, Association of Physicians of India, and the All India Association for Advanced Research in Obesity.
Raising concern over the growing burden of diabetes and obesity in India, Fadnavis stressed that the country must not become the diabetes capital of the world. He highlighted the role of public awareness initiatives like this conference in combating the health crisis driven by modern lifestyles.
Fadnavis also noted the efforts of the central government, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Fit India Movement, in promoting fitness and healthy living as preventive strategies against lifestyle diseases such as diabetes.
One of the biggest challenges, he pointed out, is the reluctance of patients to accept a diabetes diagnosis. “Awareness and timely lifestyle changes are as important as medical treatment,” he said. He expressed hope that the insights shared by experts at the conference would pave the way for more effective diabetes management and prevention strategies in India.
He concluded by stating that with the right approach, it is possible to prevent diabetes in future generations and build a healthier nation.