What was once known to be the rich man’s disease has now become more common. Diabetes, a disease that occurs when the blood sugar is too high, is now more common among farmers in remote areas.
Health officials say easy access to health services have made the urbanites conscious of their health, while the villagers staying in the far-flung areas have become ignorant of the disease. To advocate villagers of Tsirang Toed Gewog in Tsirang on the significance of early diagnosis and treatment of the disease, the district hospital observed world diabetes day on Thursday.
In Tsirang district there are more than a thousand diabetes patients of which 70 per cent are farmers and housewives. This figure, the district’s health officials say, is recorded only when patients come to the hospital for other health check-ups. Villagers do not come for voluntary diabetes check-up.
“In the past, our parents ate all sorts of foods that contain too much fats and proteins. But back then they were also engaged in doing really tough physical works- there were no motorable roads. Nowadays roads are paved till the doorsteps of every household, and moreover, people seldom do works that will keep them fit. I think all these are the factors causing diabetes in the villages,” said Dawa Tshering, a villager at Tsirang Toed.
“Our people are attending a diabetes advocacy programme for the first time. Most of them are not aware of the disease. And we are advising those who attended the meeting to take the message and advocate their neighbours and family members. People in the towns are aware of the disease and now it’s high time we educate those in the remote as well,” added Tandin Tshering, the Tsirang Toed Tshogpa.
Health officials say people’s changing lifestyle, diet pattern and physical inactivity are some of the causes of diabetes.
“In urban areas, people are more aware of the non-communicable disease, from sources including media and social media. But in villages, it is not much familiar. According to our records, today not many know about diabetes. We don’t know if they are busy with their daily works or maybe they are taking this disease lightly and overlooking it. The main objective of our day today is to encourage more voluntary sugar checkup,” said Lham Dorji, Sr. Dietician at Tsirang District Hospital.
Some of the warning signs and symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger and fatigue.
Namgay Wangchuk
