World Diabetes Day is being observed on Saturday (today) to recognize the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, and provide access to treatment and health-care education.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2020 is “The Nurse and Diabetes.” The campaign aims to raise awareness around the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood.

Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. Healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

In addition diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and treatment for complications.