Rotary Club of Windsor (1918)
Canada-India Diabetes Program
Our Club is Located in Windsor Ontario Canada
Canada-India Diabetes Program
Prevent Diabetes and its Complications
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes i is one of the leading causes of death throughout the world. It "occurs when the body is either unable to make insulin, or unable to use the insulin it does make". Although there are many types of diabetes, the most common form of this deadly and silent killer is Type II, which comprises 80 to 90% of diabetics. More alarming, is the fact that children are increasingly being afflicted by this disease.
Quick facts about diabetes:
- Diabetes is silent and may not exhibit any symptoms until it has advanced
- Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, increased urination and weight loss or weight gain
- Diabetes causes many complications including blindness, heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure
- Diabetes is set to rise 42% in developed countries and 170% in developing countries over the next few decades "Global burden of diabetes, 1995-2025: prevalence, numerical estimates, and projections" - NCBI PubMed
- Diabetes will affect 1 in 3 babies born after the year 2000 American Diabetes Association
- Diabetes and its complications are preventable
For more information check out the website of The Canadian Diabetes Association
Type 2 Diabetes - Things You Should Know
History of the Canada-India Diabetes Program:
More and more people of Asian, African and Hispanic origin were coming into the emergency room in Canada dying of early heart attacks. When Dr.R. P.Rao and Dr. Shanti Rao probed deeper, they found that diabetes was the silent cause. They also found that this was the reason why more than 30% of heart attacks were occurring in India, thus started the first Canadian Initiative.
In 2002, Dr. R.P. Rao and Dr. Shanti Rao, with the help of Indian Rotary and Lions’ clubs, surveyed rural areas of Karnataka for diabetes. They conducted a series of free health checkup camps from Tumkur to Udupi in Karnataka, to study the diabetes problem screening over 9,000 for cardiac risk factors including diabetes symptoms. Their findings were alarming!!!
KARNATAKA
Click on the map to see an enlarged version
The pilot study revealed that diabetes was highly prevalent in rural and urban areas. In addition, it was severely under-diagnosed and under-treated. The level of diabetes in rural communities far surpassed everyone’s expectations.
When they learned of Dr. Rao’ s findings, the community expressed concern, and threw their full support behind the effort to stop diabetes and its consequences. This mission has culminated in efforts dedicated to serve the need for diabetes awareness, early discovery, prevention and treatment for all at a free or subsidized cost.
In 2004, Dr. Rao along with a team of Canadian experts released the first Mass Empowerment Book, "Century of Change-The Global Diabetes Explosion" to educate people about diabetes and its prevention. The next edition has just been translated into local languages for distribution to school children and those in rural areas where English is not spoken.
Many schools in India have eagerly joined in the "Mass Empowerment Program" to help diagnose Diabetes early and prevent complications in children and adults..
Rotary and NGO Involvement In India:
A number of Rotary Clubs in District 3180 and 3190 have been involved in the first series of health camps.
They organized "Mass Empowerment Workshops" on Teachers Day and "Health Education Camps".
NGOs including Women's groups, rural panchayat groups, farmers groups and other social service organizations have been involved in the Diabetes Prevention Program.
Lions clubs of Kundapur and Mangalorehave also participated in the "Mass Empowerment Education Program".
Press Coverage of The Canada-India Diabetes Program:
Here are some photos of Rotarians in action with the Canada-India Diabetes Program.
A 3 phase structure for the Indian-Canadian Diabetes Program
Phase 1: PREVENT DIABETES BY MASS EMPOWERMENT EDUCATION
The Diabetes Mass empowerment book "Century of Change:The Global Diabetes Explosion"
(For ordering information, please read below)
(Your contributions and support will help save lives)
Phase 2: Mass Empowerment in the Schools
(Prevention through early intervention with the help pf teachers in both Indian and Canadian schools)
Phase 3: Canada-India Diabetes Prevention Center and Hospital
(Building a world class center of excellence in diabetes prevention, education, nutrition and treatment for the needy)
Indian Rotary Involvement and Initiative
The program began with the support of Tumkur Rotary, under the direction of the then president, Mr. D. Ragavendra Gupta, who is presently Assistant District Governor of Rotary 3190.
The Rotary of Udupi, as well as the District Governor of 3180, have been major supporters of the cause and helped us to organize free mass screening health camps for the rural poor.
Liaison With Institutions:
Institutional awareness to be followed by government endorsement of the program and liaison with public health departments.
Canada-India Diabetes Program
Canada-India Diabetes Program Free health camp
held with Rotary of Udupi in 2003
Windsorites, Dr. Ramesh Rao and Rotary 1918 member Dr. Shanti Rao, of the Canada/India Diabetes Prevention Program, travelled to India to help with the work.
The Windsor Rotary 1918 Club presented Dr. Ramesh Rao and Dr. Shanti Rao a cheque for $1000 to help with their diabetes prevention progam in India.
How You Can Get Involved:
Children urgently need your help in the fight against diabetes. You too can help.
Compassionate individuals:
Become an active volunteer in the diabetes prevention program. Your contribution could save lives and make a difference in the lives of many suffering from diabetes and its consequences.
Compassionate corporations:
Become a corporate sponsor for any of the programs for diabetes:
- Sponsor Mass Empowerment books for children
- Diabetes education
- Sponsor Nutrition Education Programs
Century of Change: The Global Diabetes Explosion
A book for Empowerment and Education
A major part of the work has been completed thanks to the dedication and sacrifice of leading Canadian experts who have researched into the causes behind the current crisis behind the global diabetes epidemic. This has resulted in the creation of a unique book. This book, entitled Century of Change: The Global Diabetes Explosion, was published and thousands of copies were distributed throughout
Karnataka.
You may E-mail us at dr.srao@cogeco.ca
if you would like to order a copy of the second edition of the mass empowerment book ($55 Canadian funds each).
If you are sending a cheque for payment, make it out to "Rotary Club of Windsor (1918)" with a reference on the bottom, "World Services Committee, Canada-India Diabetes Program". Your contributions can help save lives.
The Diabetes Mass empowerment book "Century of Change:The Global Diabetes Explosion" has now been translated to Kannada language, spoken by about 60 million people. The translator is an award-winning author, professor and expert in the Kannada language.
You can get a copy from Sapna books by visiting the website www.sapnaonline.com.
Rotarian Dr. Shanti Rao introduces the new translation of Century of Change:The Global Diabetes Explosion in Kannada to a 02/27/06 Windsor Rotary 1918 club meeting audience
* Click here to view front cover of the new translation of "Century of Change:The Global Diabetes Explosion" in Kannada
Contact Information:
Contact address for more information:
Dr. R.P Rao, Program Director,
Canada-India Diabetes Program
P.O. Box 21113
RPO University Mall
Windsor, Ontario
N9B 3T4 Canada.
Fax: 240-465-4890
E-mail: dr.srao@cogeco.ca
References
Last Revised: April 27, 2008
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