Kakinada, Nov 8th: Andhra Pradesh Diabetes Federation (APDF) is organizing its 18th Annual Scientific Meet at SRMT function hall here on November 14 and 15 to coincide with the World Diabetes Day (Nov 14). The conference theme is ‘Educate diabetics- Prevent complications’, said APDF President Dr. Venkataratnam Vakkalanka and Organizing Secretary Dr. Rama Swaroop Jawahar. Addressing media persons here on Sunday, Dr. Venkataratnam said up to 10 per cent of Indians were suffering from diabetes and it was going up by 1 to 2 percent every year. If uncontrolled for more than five years, diabetes would cause major complications from head to toe. In many cases, diabetes is passed on from one generation to another. Unrestricted food habits, obesity, smoking, stress and sedentary lifestyles are the other major causes of diabetes, which is still only manageable but not preventable.

Dr. Jawahar said nearly 20 experts from Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and some other cities would speak on a wide range of topics related to diabetes on the two days. A Meet the Experts session is being organized at 10 a.m of November 14 SRMT (a/c) function hall-I for which registrations have to be done by paying Rs 100 each. Blood tests would be conducted and protein drinks given to participants in this session. Besides, APDF and Indian Medical Association are jointly organising a walking competition at Kulaicheruvu. Further details can be obtained from the organisers_ Dr. Venkataratnam (9985961222), Dr. Jawahar (9848411101) and Dr. R.V. Ramana Rao (9440465777).