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NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 29:
 

Dr Martin Silinik receiving the gold medal from Dr Ashok Kumar Das Additional Director General of Health Services, government of India. Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali Prince of Arcot, Dr Shaukat M Sadikot, president, DiabetesIndia, Mumbai, and others.

        Dr Martin Silinik, president of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and professor of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Sydney, Australia, was presented the15th Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre Gold Medal Oration Award.

        The award instituted in1994 aims at honouring distinguished international medical scientists every year. The award was given to Dr Martin Silinik for his contribution to the field of diabetes with particular reference to diabetes in childhood and adolescence.

        Dr Ashok Kumar Das, Additional Director General of Health Services, government of India, presided over the function and handed over the gold medal to Dr Martin Silinik. Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, the Prince of Arcot, Dr P Vijayalakshmi, director of Medical Education, government of Tamilnadu, and Rotarian Dr M S Ravi were the guests of honour.

        After receiving the honours, Dr Martin Silinik said diabetes is indeed a matter of concern. And awareness about this had to be created, he added.

        'Diabetes is a global problem with a devastating social, human and economic impact. Today, more that 200 million people all over the world are living with diabetes. This number is increasing by six million people every year. This growing pandemic is set to overwhelm healthcare resources in every country, ' he said.

        Silinik said there were cost effective strategies that can be implemented to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes complications. He said the time has come for the governments to act.

        Dr Shaukat M Sadikot, president, DiabetesIndia, Mumbai, was also felicitated on the occasion for being elected as the vice-president of International Diabetes Federation and also for his contribution to the cause of diabetes and its associated metabolic disorders during the past three decades.

        Earlier on the occasion, Dr Silinik inaugurated the 'WDF MDRF ISRO' Rural Diabetes Telemedicene facility. This telemedicine facility would be offered to patients in Chunampet and neighbouring villages in Kancheepuram district. The facility aims at lessening the burden of diabetes in the rural India and making healthcare available and affordable to the rural population of Tamilnadu.

        ISRO is supporting the telemedicine facility by providing the satellite connection with all necessary hardware. Dr M Balasubramanyam, senior scientist, MDRF, proposed a vote of thanks.