While diabetes is usually described as an epidemic, it has actually gained the endemic status in many parts of the world. Data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) suggest a current (2017) global prevalence of 425 million with the number expected to increase to 629 million by 2040. Seventy-eight million people are living with diabetes in South Asia today. This number is expected to double to reach 140 million by 2040.
A healthy diet, regular physical activity and the maintenance of normal body weight are three key strategies to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Diabetes and its consequences can be treated, avoided or delayed with healthy eating practices, physical activity, medication and regular screening, and treatment for complications.
The impact of diabetes on individual, family and societal health is enormous. Firstly, economic productivity is impaired as two-thirds of persons affected with diabetes are of working age. Diabetes is also a major cause for blindness, renal failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. In 2016, an estimated 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes. Another 2.2 million deaths were attributed to high blood glucose according to 2012 statistics. Every year, 1.2 million lives in South Asia are lost prematurely due to diabetes. At the global level, diabetes care consumes 12 percent of the total health expenditure. Therefore, it is imperative to prevent and control diabetes with immediate effect.
By the experts, for the experts
The Sri Lanka College of Endocrinologists (SLCE) together with the South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies (SAFES) and the International Society of Endocrinology (ISE) will be hosting SLENDO 2019 from August 1 to 3, at Shangri-La, Colombo.
This conference which aims to streamline and disseminate new and extant knowledge on the prevention of diabetes and diabetes care is arguably one of the biggest international medical academic programmes ever to be held in South Asia. More than 80 international speakers and 1,000 delegates including 300 foreign delegates are expected at this event.
Diabetes prevention
Primary prevention of diabetes involves the institution of preventive measures in the absence of the disease in persons in whom risk factors are present. A subset of primary prevention, primordial prevention is concerned with the institution of preventive measures in the absence of risk factors in the population at large. Measures taken for the early detection and treatment of the disease to prevent complications, fall into the category of secondary prevention. Tertiary prevention involves strategies put in place to minimise ailments owing to pre-existing complications. Quaternary prevention cautions medical professionals against overdiagnosis and overtreatment while quinary prevention attempts to curb the spread of misinformation related to diabetes, particularly across different media and social media platforms.
SLENDO 2019 will provide a platform for researchers and medical professionals to share their expertise on the prevention of diabetes at all levels ranging from primordial to quinary. The event will also see the formal release of the ‘Colombo Declaration,’ an important policy declaration adopted by the SAFES.
Colombo Declaration, 2019
Member countries will pledge to work together to create focused and sustained prevention plans that would help stem the tide of diabetes in the South Asian region and to explore new and innovative ways of providing better and effective care for those who are already suffering from the disease.
SAFES President Dr. Noel Somasundaram; SAFES Secretary Dr. Manilka Sumanatilleke; SAFES former President Dr. S. Abbas Raza; SAFES Founder President Dr. Sarita Bajaj; SAFES former Secretary Dr. Rakesh Sahay; Endocrine Society of India President Prof. S.V. Maadhu; Endocrine Society of Bangladesh President Prof. Md Faruque Pathan; SAFES Vice President Dr. Faria Afsana; SAFES Vice President Dr. Prasad Katulanda; Pakistan Endocrine Society President Dr. Ali Jawa; Sri Lanka College of Endocrinologists President Dr. Charles Antonypillai; Diabetes and Endocrine Association of Nepal President Dr. Dina Shrestha; Afghanistan Endocrine Society President Dr. Abdul Wassy Sultani; Afghanistan Endocrine Society Secretary General Dr. Mohammad Wali Naseri; Dr. Ali Latheef - Consultant Physician, Maldives; International Society of Endocrinology Executive Director Dr. Ariane Brusselmans; International Society of Endocrinology Chairperson Prof. Andre Lacroix; Endocrine Society of India President-Elect Dr. Sanjay Kalra will resolve to work together in the battle against diabetes.
The resolution emphasises on the promotion of the concept of prevention of diabetes at all levels ranging from primordial to quinary, practice of preventive strategies as an integral part of diabetes and endocrine care, proactively launch activities at micro-and meso-level to help prevent diabetes and its complications, partnership with national and international societies to create and strengthen diabetes prevention programmes, and the preparation of endocrine curricula and continuation of education modules with an enhanced focus on the prevention of diabetes.
The ‘Colombo Declaration 2019’ will make an important step ahead in the field of diabetes and endocrinology and call for action, the nation as well as worldwide. This declaration will encourage communication between various stakeholders in the prevention of diabetes, build confidence in their ability to work as an effective team, consolidate existing activities and programmes related to the prevention of diabetes, converse existing ideas and plans into meaningful and productive action and create focused and sustained prevention plans which will help stem the diabetes epidemic.
Worldwide recognition
The highlight of the SLENDO 2019 is the participation of world authorities in endocrinology. The conference will feature ISE Chairperson Prof. Andre Lacroix, Prof. William Young and Prof. Bart Clark from Mayo Clinic as well as Prof. John Wass and Simon Cudlip from Oxford, the United Kingdom. The ISE Thyroid Course and Hands-on Thyroid Ultrasound will feature Prof. Susan Mandel and Prof. David Cooper from the USA. Paediatric endocrinology experts Prof. Faisal Ahamed and Prof. Paul Hofman will also participate. More than 50 regional professionals will share local expertise.
The scientific committee consisting of specialists across the world has developed a very robust and interesting scientific programme. The sessions consist of 200+ talks and all of these are designed for active learning. The SLENDO will offer a unique and multi-faceted learning experience to participants in the form of plenary, symposia, meet the professor, master class, debate, ‘courtroom’, hands-on training and free paper sessions.
This offers specialists, medical officers, general practitioners and doctors an opportunity to learn about latest developments in the field of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism and share ideas. The SLENDO has given the platform for researchers in Sri Lanka and abroad to showcase their research to the world.
Young investigators will stand a chance to gain world recognition by winning ISE travel grants to present their work at the prestigious international congress of endocrinology in 2020 in Buenos Aires.
It is notable that international experts and delegates are flocking to Shangri La, Colombo making the SLENDO the biggest event in Sri Lanka after the tragic events that took place in April. It is expected that the SLENDO will provide a huge boost to the struggling hotel industry and tourism as well.
The SLENDO will be a focal point for innovation and learning in endocrinology and it will be a place where the world meets for endocrinology. The organisers aim to put Sri Lanka on the world map in the field of endocrinology.
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