Diabetes kills around 2.1 million women worldwide every year. According to the International Diabetes Federation, it is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally.
Women with diabetes face a lot of stigma, especially in countries like India, says Dr S.K. Wangnoo, senior consultant (endocrinology), Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. “They also experience barriers in diabetes prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment,” he says.
Bhoomika Doshi, 25, from Delhi, who was diagnosed with diabetes at 16, had a hard time fighting the stigma surrounding diabetes. It was as hard as dealing with the usual problems associated with the disease, like hypoglycaemia and insulin issues. Gradually, she learned to deal with it. “I am getting married next month. Luckily, my in-laws are very supportive,” she says.
Experts say the increase in the prevalence of gestational diabetes in India is a matter of great concern. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, India has 4 million women with gestational diabetes. Some recent studies have reported a high prevalence of gestational diabetes in Lucknow (41 per cent) and Punjab (35 per cent).
Some names have been changed.
