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98 Million Diabetic Indians & a Shortage of Insulin by 2030: Study

Shortage of Insulin to Affect Half of Diabetes 2 Patients by 2030

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While Type-2 diabetes is expected to rise by more than a fifth, from 406 million in 2018 to 511 million in 2030 globally, India along with China and the US will share over half of these high blood sugar cases, say researchers led by one of an Indian-origin, while asserting the need to improve access for the life saving insulin.

The study, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal, showed that China (130 million) followed by India (98 million), and the US (32 million) will constitute over half of type 2 diabetics by 2030.

That means 98 million Indians will have diabetes by 2030. Currently, the figures in India are already scary, with 1 in 20 people having diabetes and 1 in 15 on the verge of getting it.

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The study is a serious warning for the treatment of people suffering from type 2 diabetes in the coming years.

By measuring the expected increase in insulin demand by 2030 and the incidence of type 2 diabetes, it signaled grave dearth of insulin to treat the patients.

Going by the numbers, 79 million people with type 2 diabetes will need insulin in the coming 12 years, while the insulin required to treat type 2 diabetes is expected to increase by around 20%. Almost half of the 79 million people will not get insulin if no significant improvements are made in the drug production.

The Guardian quoted Dr Sanjay Basu from Stanford University in the US, who led the research, as saying the current levels of insulin access are inadequate specially in Africa and Asia, requiring more efforts to overcome this shortage.

Despite the UN’s commitment to treat non-communicable diseases and ensure universal access to drugs for diabetes, across much of the world insulin is scarce and unnecessarily difficult for patients to access. The number of adults with type 2 diabetes is expected to rise over the next 12 years due to ageing, urbanisation, and associated changes in diet and physical activity. Unless governments begin initiatives to make insulin available and affordable, then its use is always going to be far from optimal.
Dr Sanjay Basu from Stanford University, US

In cases of type 2 diabetes, the body produces insulin but can’t process it properly. The early warning signs are hard to spot and people might ignore them.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

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Topics:  Type 2 diabetes   Diabetes   Insulin 

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