On Nov 14, Delhi will turn blue for diabetes awareness

NEW DELHI: Joining the global movement aimed at creating awareness about diabetes, Delhi will be lit up in blue — universal symbol of diabetes is a blue circle — on the eve of World Diabetes Day on November 14.
HEAL Foundation with support from Union ministry of health and family welfare is organizing Diabetes Blue Fortnight in which selected monuments, government buildings, malls, hospitals, etc, will be lit up in blue.
This is a part of the global movement in which 660 monuments in nearly 72 countries have been lit so far. ‘‘It has been happening in western countries for nearly a decade now. This is the first time we have attempted something like this in India,’’ said Dr Subhash Wangnoo, chairman of Diabetes Blue Fortnight and president of Delhi Diabetic Forum.
The health ministry has written to all the states to join the blue movement. ‘‘We have written to all the states. We have written to the Archeological Survey of India to lit up a few monuments in blue. The health minister is keen on starting a screening programme on diabetes. We need to create awareness about the disease and the available treatment,’’ said BK Prasad, joint secretary, non-communicable diseases, health ministry.
On November 13, Lotus temple, Akshardham, all the four railway stations, Batra, Lok Nayak and Apollo hospital, malls, government buildings like Nirman Bhavan, etc, would be lit up in blue. Delhi chief minister would be launching the blue monument initiative.
‘‘It is an attempt to unite for diabetes. Our aim is motivate people to take control of diabetes before it controls you. We are asking DMRC to become a part of this initiative,’’ said Dr Wangnoo.
HEAL has also partnered with Project HOPE, a sister concern of International Diabetes Federation, and Vision Mission Foundation. ‘‘HOPE will be training dietitians in dealing with diabetics. Vision Mission Foundation will be starting a diabetes screening van in Delhi,’’ said Dr Wangoo.