Dear Lion Narendra Bhai,
It is always good to listen you on Centennial Celebration of LCI and Project Diabetes as main health care programme for future.
I wish to bring few important points to strengthen this programme or – LCI will be only a part of such programmes undertaken by Government and other Social/Religious organization in most of the developing countries with out expected impact. It is not a National Project even in Developed Countries.
Polio was the first health project of LCI and known for its efforts in great way in 5th to 8th decades of last 20th Century, later taken in large way by other organization and National Government. LCI was a label with Polio in every bods mind in India and developing countries.
Distribution of Aids to disabled people is still the main service activity seen through out India, where as rehabilitation and job orientation to these people has taken over by others.
Diabetes is prevalent in 10% of population, is not only a genetic disorder but metabolic in nature due to environment and changes in total life style in every country. Diabetic Awareness consists of Prevention and Early detection where proper STRESS is required in phase one part of programme
Blood Sugar is done free in camps. One can find out a prediabetic patient, but its follow up is never done or consult Government or Private Clinics. Most of these camps attract established Diabetic patients seeking medicine or Blood Sugar Check up.
Awareness programme Camps at various places including Malls and other public places as done in West gives proper message to public and made them aware of Diabetes and its consequences if not taken care of properly. These Diabetic awareness programmes shows films, slides and posters. Target population is middle and lower income group emphasizing importance of regular checkup and treatment on nominal amount regularly. LCI in India is in capable of such programme covering millions of population, providing free investigations and treatment regularly for whole life.
Next is regular treatment of Diabetic patients. Who will promote medicine on low or free cost?
Complications of Diabetes are rising because of poor care and poor compliance of treatment.
Four groups of complications are –
- Renal failure
- Eye ratinopathy – Blindness
- Diabetic foot – If not cared for needs amputation because of lack of proper diabetic management
- Others – involving other parts/systems of body
Renal failure cases are rising because of improper care. Chronic renal failure is increasing even in properly managed patients also.
In one lakh population, about 100 to 150 people need Dialysis. Even in Developed countries.
Does LCI have some positive project for Dialysis patient on subsidized rate?
In Indore 5 dialysis machine by different Lions Clubs are running in different city hospitals and charges are double than by other social and philanthropic Institution.
In Mumbai LCI has about 200 machines, through various Lions Clubs, serving 2000 or more patients a day where more than 30000 patient need dialysis. More than 20 centers in Mumbai have about 500 machine giving dialysis on very nominal amount while Government Hospitals give this facility on nominal charges and even free.
Kidney Donation is the Ultimate treatment and many organ donation organizations have come up doing exemplary works collecting Kidney from Cadevere Donors benefiting patients on affordable cost. Live donors are increasing because of awarness programmes run by many organizations involved in organ donations.
WHERE – LCI – stands to be a PIONEER in this field to overshadow others to be number one social organization in dealing Diabetic?
No country including USA can afford to give free treatment to its citizen. Medical Care to old and poor patients (Obama Care) is under change/attack in USA. What IMPACT LCI is going to make in USA/India or any other country in long-term management of awareness of diabetic, prevention of diabetic, management of diabetic and prevention of diabetic complication?
LCI should define clearly its role in Diabetes, which is a vast topic with increasing patients needing whole life management. As I understand, it is “DIABETIC AWARENESS PROGRAMME” only. If so a charter of such programme with its guideline to execute to benefit people in general is to be defined.
Is there any programme to find out the result of the Diabetic Awareness Programme leading to early detection in the population and further guideline?
Success of such programmes involving 10 percent of population depends upon – Awareness Programme and subsequent management of diabetic patients. It is a collosal work, needs collaboration with Government or other religious/philanthropic organizations.
Solution is to find a partner to deal with Diabetes and its complication comprehensively, either Government or any other big Private/Public/Social organization and make a comprehensive programme targeting one group till its natural course.
If any one take one disease as its sole MOTO, it should run a distance to its full, and not half-heartedly.
Problems and dealing the problem is different in each country. One basic policy if formed should be effective in all country.
There are many views, not necessary, one should agree. It is a thought, needs discussion that will filter to give correct goal to achieve.
Please do not take it as criticism but some suggestions as dealing with these problems at state and National level to strengthen Diabetic services.
Lions Clubs International of high repute must have consider its all details. A road map for Lions members to reach in public and enhance its image benefiting a patient in real term of satisfaction, is goal to see happiness and smile on the faces of diabetic patients.
I always appreciate your zeal and devotion to promote great service activities of LCI.
I am a True Lion and wish to take steps in right direction to serve people and express my views with commitment and conviction particularly in Medical field where I am still serving for more than 50 years.
Lion Dr. Satish K. Shukla
PDG – 323-G-1
