Chandigarh, November 21 The three-month average blood sugar control (HbA1c level) of diabetics in the city has increased marginally in the past one year. This was revealed in a report of the India Diabetes Care Index, unveiled by Novo Nordisk Education Foundation under the ‘Impact India: 1,000-Day Challenge’ programme. According to the report, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level, the best recommended indicator of long-term blood sugar control, increased marginally from 7.87 per cent to 7.88 per cent in Chandigarh. The HbA1c test gives an idea about the average level of blood sugar control for three months. About 6,000 people with an average age of 58 were part of the analysis in the city. Of them, 57 per cent were male and 43 per cent female. Speaking about the report, Dr Anil Bhansali, Prof and Head, Department of Endocrinology, PGI, Chandigarh, said, “There is a marginal rise in the average HbA1c level according to the latest India Diabetes Care Index. This indicates more aggressive management is required for further control of diabetes by changing lifestyle as well as more frequent consultation with respective health care providers to achieve HbA1c target (below 7 per cent). Diabetes can be managed well if people switch to healthy diet, indulge in regular exercise, monitor their sugar levels and take timely medications. The index has been useful in mapping the HbA1c levels in the city.” Talking about the programme, Dr Anil Shinde, Trustee of the foundation, said, “With the Impact India initiative, we have set an ambitious target and hope to see India emerge as a role model in diabetes management.” The Impact India programme was launched a year ago to address the issue of sub-optimally controlled diabetes in India. The aim of the programme is to reduce the national average HbA1c by 1 per cent, which can help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

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