The National Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Awareness Day is annually observed across India on 10th March to create nationwide awareness about the connection between maternal health and diabetes.
10th March 2021 is observed as the National GDM Awareness Day.
India observed the World’s First National GDM Awareness Day from 10th March 2019.
Background:
i.In 2016 DIPSI (Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group in India) declared March 10th of every year as GDM day.
ii.Since 2016 the day was observed by the International and Indian associations like DIPSI, Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology Societies of India (FOGSI), Association of Physicians of India (API) and South Asia Initiative on Diabetes in Pregnancy (SAIDIP).
iii.In 2019, The National Health Mission directed state-level officials to join hands with these organisations to mark the National GDM Awareness Day as a national event.
Events 2021 in India:
i.Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions delivered the keynote address at the “National Gestational Diabetes Awareness Day” summit virtually hosted from Bengaluru, Karnataka.
ii.He also released the Guidelines for “Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy” prepared by Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group of India (DIPSI) headed by Professor V Seshiah, one of the founding fathers of Diabetology in India.
About Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM):
i.Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy.
ii.GDM is commonly found among pregnant women, approximately 7% of all pregnancies are complicated by GDM, resulting in more than 200,000 cases annually.
iii.Woman with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is prone to increase the risk of future diabetes in the progeny.
