The number of people with diabetes in Belarus increases by 20,000 annually

March 30, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. The number of people with diabetes mellitus in Belarus increases annually by more than 20 thousand people, or 6-7%. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the chief freelance endocrinologist of the Ministry of Health of Belarus, Alla Shepelkevich. In Vitebsk, she is taking part in the regional scientific-practical conference "Diabetes Mellitus and Acute Cerebrovascular Accidents". According to Alla Shepelkevich, as of the beginning of 2011, 210.7 thousand patients with diabetes mellitus were registered in our country. "For Belarus, the trend of increasing the number of patients is as relevant as for the whole world. At the same time, the forecasts of the International Diabetes Federation are not encouraging: the growth will continue, and by 2030 it may reach about 500 million people worldwide," the doctor noted. One of the priority areas in combating the spread of diabetes mellitus in Belarus is preventive work, improving the qualifications of endocrinologists, therapists, doctors of related and other specialties in order to detect the disease at early stages. An important component is also working with patients, for whom 215 inpatient and outpatient diabetes schools operate in the republic. The chief freelance endocrinologist also touched upon the issue of drug supply for patients with diabetes mellitus. "From the second half of the current year, only genetically engineered human insulin and insulin analogs purchased with funds from the local budget will be used in Belarus," Alla Shepelkevich emphasized. -0-