Centre for Metabolic & Endocrine Disorders at Symbiosis University Hospital & Research Centre opens in Pune

The medical college and its attached Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre has state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities

Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Centre for Metabolic & Endocrine Disorders at Symbiosis University Hospital & Research Centre in Pune.

Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a renowned Diabetologist and the Life Patron of the coveted RSSDI (Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India) described the New Centre as a timely and much-needed one given the increasing incidences of lifestyle diseases and metabolic disorders. The Centre would focus on preventive screening of the most common disease – diabetes. 

The entire Symbiosis Aarogya Dham is located at the scenic campus of Symbiosis International University at Gram Lavale, Pune. The medical college and its attached Symbiosis University Hospital and Research Centre has state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities. 

Dr Singh said, over the last two decades, India has seen a surge in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, which has now acquired pan-Indian proportions. He said, Type 2 Diabetes, which was two decades ago prevalent mostly in South India, is today equally rampant in North India and at the same time, it has also moved from metros, cities and urban areas to the rural hinterland.

Quoting from the recently released guidelines by the Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr Singh said, the past three decades witnessed a 150 per cent increase in the number of people with diabetes in the country. He said the main concern is the progressive lowering of the age at which type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed, with the disease prevalence becoming apparent in the age group of 25-34 years in both urban and rural areas.

Dr Singh said lifestyle management plays an essential role in managing type 1 diabetes, and understanding the effect of diet and physical activity on glycemia is essential for optimal management of the disease. The minister pointed out that even during the pre-COVID era, it had been proven with evidence that in the treatment of non-communicable diseases, like for example, Diabetes-Mellitus, the dose of insulin or oral anti-diabetic drugs could be brought down with the adjuvant practice of certain Yoga Asana and lifestyle modifications available in naturopathy.

Dr Singh also informed that under the Free Drugs Service Initiative of NHM of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, financial support is provided to States/UTs for the provision of free essential medicines including insulin for poor and needy people including children. Furthermore, quality generic medicines including insulin are made available at affordable prices to all, under ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’, in collaboration with the state governments. 

Referring to the Prime Minister’s revolutionary announcement of the “National Digital Health Mission.” The Health ID will work like a Health Account for every Indian. “This account will contain your details of every test, every disease, the doctors you visited, the medicines you took and the diagnosis. We are devising a system which will help every citizen to make a better and informed decision.” he said.

The Symbiosis Centre for Metabolic & Endocrine Disorders is equipped with a body composition machine, skinfold thickness measurement caliper, biothesiometer for early detection of neuropathy, handheld vascular Doppler, podiascan etc, while the nutritionist and nurse diabetic educator will be available to counsel the patient and their relatives for ensuring right kind of diet and its significance. The main focus at the centre is to prevent complications and ensure patients are guided to maintain a good lifestyle.

All allied specialists like cardiology, podiatric surgeon, neurologist, ophthalmologist all are available within the centre to ensure end to end services. Moreover, another major lifestyle concern is Obesity and the centre aims to provide both non interventional and surgical remedies for such patients. Apart from diabetes and obesity, the centre also would manage patients with thyroid disorders, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and other metabolic and endocrine disorders.

PIB