Dhaka:The World Diabetes Day will be observed in Bangladesh tomorrow, alongside many other countries worldwide, with the aim of increasing public awareness about diabetes. The theme for this year's observance is "Diabetes Act Now," which aligns with the global effort to spotlight the importance of tackling diabetes.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh has organized various programs to commemorate the day. These initiatives aim to enhance public awareness about diabetes through different activities.
The observance, marked annually in about 170 countries including Bangladesh, involves the publication of special supplements in daily newspapers, special editions of 'Kanti' and 'Diabetes Newsletter', and the distribution of awareness posters, leaflets, and stickers. Other affiliated organizations of the association, along with its branches in different districts, have also planned various programs to highlight the occasion.
World Diabetes Day was first declared by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 1991 and is observed on November 14 each year. At the behest of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi government proposed this observance to the United Nations, which unanimously adopted it on December 20, 2006, and it has been a global observance since 2007.
Bangladesh ranks eighth globally in the number of diabetes cases, with the latest 2025 data from the IDF indicating that 1.39 crore adults lived with diabetes in 2024. The IDF projects that this number could swell to 2.31 crore by 2050.
Dr. Faria Afsana, President of the Bangladesh Endocrine Society and Head of the Department of Endocrinology at BIRDEM, emphasized the need for lifestyle changes among those with prediabetes and at high risk of developing diabetes. These changes include reducing body weight by five to seven percent, engaging in brisk walking or exercise for at least 150 minutes a week, and limiting the intake of rice, refined flour, and sugary drinks. She also stressed the importance of diabetes screening for individuals aged 35 or above, as well as for those below this age with specific risk factors.