International Diabetes Summit: A Virtual Exchange of Knowledge

The International Diabetes Federation states that 77 million Indians have Diabetes. Though Diabetes is preventable and manageable, its associated complications are responsible for increasing India's annual mortality rate by over a million. This has increased India's socio-economic burden and caused immense loses in manpower productivity. Chellaram Diabetes Institute, Pune's premier multi-speciality Diabetes Hospital, organised the 5th International Diabetes Summit (Virtual) from 12th March to 14th March 2021 to increase awareness about Diabetes being both a preventable and manageable condition.

The summit was presided over by Mr Lal L. Chellaram, the Patron and Chairman of Chellaram Diabetes Institute. The three-day summit was joined by physicians, medical experts and researchers presenting the latest information in Diabetes patient care and research from across the globe by virtual mode. Faculty from 13 of the world's renowned institutions of Diabetes care, practice and research namely Karolinska Institute, Sweden, Mayo Clinic, USA, University of Leicester, UK and University of Hong Kong delivered educational lectures on various topics related to Diabetes. The virtual conference was attended by 5300 physicians and researchers and over 100 national speakers delivered talks on the critical aspects of Diabetes care.

The chief guest of the virtual summit was Dr Soumya Swaminathan (Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation). Dr C.B. Sanjeevi (Head of the Diabetes-immunology research group at Karolinska Institute, Sweden and Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, India) and Dr V Mohan (Chairman and Chief Diabetologist, Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre and President and Director of Madras Diabetes Research) were also present at the summit.

Various case studies on Diabetes complications and special situations in Diabetes management were discussed. The topics discussed at the summit include the manifold benefits of continuous glucose monitoring in Diabetes management, new aspects of managing Diabetes complications of the foot, the latest outcomes of various research studies and new paradigms in insulin management.

The summit showcased oral presentations by young researchers. The summit also offered holistic insight into the field of Diabetes management which is rarely seen in Diabetes conferences in this part of the world. For more information about the International Diabetes Summit, please visit: www.cdidiabetessummit.org