From family care to myths and risks: What TOI Diabetes Medithon aims to change

Diabetes is no longer a rare condition in India. It lives in homes, offices, and neighbourhoods, going unnoticed for years. India is already known as the diabetes capital of the world, with millions managing the condition daily. Late diagnosis, lifestyle stress, rising obesity, and lack of timely guidance make control harder than it needs to be. Even though the doctor-to-patient ratio stands at 1:834, better than the WHO benchmark of 1:1000, access to affordable and consistent care still remains uneven. This gap between knowledge and care is where awareness becomes as important as medicine.To address this growing gap, TOI presents Medithon, a platform designed to bring credible medical voices into everyday health conversations. The initiative focuses on breaking complicated health topics into clear insights. Under the campaign, the upcoming Diabetes Medithon 3 scheduled for January 16 aims to create informed dialogue around diabetes care, prevention, and long-term well-being. The focus is not only on treatment, but also on understanding the human side of living with a chronic condition. The first session highlights a reality which is overlooked: diabetes is rarely managed alone. The topic of the session is ‘Role of Family or Caregiver in Managing Diabetes.This discussion brings together:Dr Saket Kant, MD, DM Endocrinology, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist, Max Super Speciality Hospital, DelhiDr Arun Pandey, MD, DM Endocrinology, Chief Consultant & Head, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Health City Vistaar, LucknowThe panel will explore how emotional support, daily routines, and shared responsibility influence sugar control and long-term outcomes. In many Indian households, food choices, medication reminders, and mental reassurance come from family members, making their role critical rather than secondary.This session will discuss the topic ‘Role of Diet, Exercise & Mental Health in Managing Diabetes.’ It will address the most practical yet misunderstood parts of diabetes care. The panel includes:Dr Ambrish Mithal, MD, DM Endocrinology, Padma Bhushan & Dr B. C. Roy Awardee, Chairman & Head, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Group Chairman Max Healthcare (Pan Max), DelhiDr Sambit Das, MD, DM Endocrinology, Professor & Head, Endocrinology, KIMS Medical College & Superspeciality Hospital, BhubaneswarDr Nitin Kapoor, MD, DM Endocrinology, Professor & Head, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, CMC VelloreThe conversation will go beyond calorie charts and step counts. It will examine how stress, sleep, food habits, and physical activity work together, and why mental health often decides whether lifestyle advice actually works in real life.The topic of discussion for the third panel is ‘Myths in Diabetes Management.’ Misinformation remains one of the biggest barriers to effective diabetes care. This session features:Dr Mathew John, MD, DM Endocrinology, Chief Endocrinologist, Providence Endocrine & Diabetes Specialty Centre, TrivandrumDr Vishnu Vasudevan, MD, DM Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinologist, Jaza Lifecare Clinic & Moulana Hospital, Perinthalmanna, KeralaDr Parjeet Kaur, MD, DM Endocrinology, Associate Director, Endocrinology, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, and Vice President, Endocrine Society of DelhiFrom fear of insulin to confusion around sugar substitutes, this panel will unpack beliefs that quietly harm long-term control. Correct information, when delivered clearly, often becomes the first step toward better outcomes.The final session focuses on prevention through awareness. The panel includes:Dr M V Rama Mohan, MD, DM Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinologist & Diabetologist, Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic, Nellore, and Executive Committee Member, Endocrine Society of IndiaDr Lavanya Katakam, MD, DM Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinologist, Aswini Endocrine and Orthopaedic Hospital, GunturDr Haritha Galla, MD, DM Endocrinology, Consultant Endocrinologist, Harita Clinic, AnantapurThis discussion will connect everyday risk factors with long-term complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Early awareness often decides whether diabetes becomes manageable or overwhelming over time.The TOI Diabetes Medithon is designed as a shared space for learning, reflection, and informed decision-making. By bringing leading endocrinologists together on one platform, the initiative aims to replace confusion with clarity and fear with understanding. In a country where diabetes touches almost every family in some way, such conversations are not just timely; they are necessary.