Project ‘Preventing Diabetic Blindness (PDB) in India ‘ - An IMA- AIOS joint venture
Dr NSD Raju
Chairman PDB
There has been an increasing incidence of diabetic blindness in our country and it has become a major cause of concern and a serious health hazard. The estimated population of 66.6 million diabetics in India has now the dubious distinction of being the’ Diabetic Capital’ of the world with 66.6 million diabetics. Diabetes is a serious life style disease that can affect various systems in our body producing diabetic complications, most common being Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. Approximately 10 million diabetics in India have Diabetic Retinopathy
Realizing the gravity of the situation, IMA, which is largest society of doctors, and the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), which is the largest ophthalmology society, have joined hands and launched the prestigious project Prevention of Diabetic Blindness PDB in India. The efforts of Dr Marthanda Pillai National President IMA , Dr K. K. Aggrawal, the Honorary Secretary General IMA , Dr Debasish Bhattacharya, President AIOS, Dr Quresh Maskati, past President AIOS and chief coordinator DESC (Diabetic Eye Screening Clinics) were responsible for the formation of this broad based strong platform
The PDB project envisaged dual approach to this problem, one that is directed to measures to create and spread awareness about Diabetic Blindness, and the other that is directed to measures to ensure screening of all diabetics in the country for diabetic retinopathy.
The official launch of the PDB program in Gujarat was held on 19th April at Vadodara in Gujarat. A diabetic awareness program and the diabetic screening clinics were inaugurated by the Worshipful Mayor of Vadodara. The Chairman PDB program released the Information poster and commissioned the web site of the PDB Project.