Kathmandu:

Astha Nepal had organised a diabetes exhibition and awareness programme at Chamber Bhawan, Kantipath, on November 14. It included education of diabetes patients, poster display on diabetes, diabetes management and prevention, display of a wide range of dietary items using traffic signal system, foot-care exhibition, yoga demonstration, and display of diabetes care devices. People with diabetes and their family members, medical and non-medical students interested in diabetes, healthcare professionals and general public visited the exhibition to acquire knowledge about the disease.

Astha Nepal is a social organisation that works to increase awareness among people about non-communicable diseases. This organisation, in association with other social organisations and local clubs, has been organising one-day awareness raising health camp about diabetes in the three districts of the Valley and Banepa.

To participate in this camp, patients should register themselves beforehand paying Rs 300. On the scheduled day, patients should go to the camp at 7 am with their medical report and undergo the necessary tests that should be done at empty stomach. Then they have a diabetic breakfast and sit for class in which specialists give tips and useful information about diabetes, diabetic foot care and insulin. After a tea break, yoga masters give lectures about the benefits of yoga and give practical instruction. All of them then have lunch followed by a dietary advice. The participants undergo necessary tests that should be done after meal

Since one of the complications of diabetes is its effect on the eyes, patients undergo eye check up too.

A team of health professionals comprising doctors and dieticians give personal counselling and answer patients’ personal queries on the basis of all reports collected during the day.

The objective of organising such a camps is to make people aware of diabetes, give information on managing it and how to prevent diabetic complications.