Latest data from the 10th Edition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas suggest that 537 million adults are living with diabetes globally. World Diabetes Day, observed on November 14 every year, provides an opportunity to increase awareness of diabetes as a global public health problem and the efforts that are needed, collectively as well as at the individual level, for better prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a high proportion of people with diabetes among hospitalized patients with severe COVID manifestations and among those who have lost their lives due to the infection. The pandemic has also resulted in severe disruption of diabetes services.

This World Diabetes Day, the World Health Organization and partners emphasize on the huge gap between the people who need access to insulin and essential technologies, such as blood glucose meters and test strips, and people who actually have access to these. The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is “Access to Diabetes Care”… (WHO, IDF)