Sultanalieva noted that over the past 24 years, the number of diabetes patients worldwide has increased by 3.5 times, while in Kyrgyzstan, it has increased by 4.5 times. On average, 5-6 thousand new cases of the disease are diagnosed annually in the country.
The Chief Endocrinologist of the Ministry of Health, Natalia Dobrynina, added that in most countries, the prevalence rate is up to 10 percent, whereas in Kyrgyzstan, it is only 1 percent, but further growth is expected.
At the conference, medical professionals from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, as well as representatives from the WHO and the International Diabetes Federation discussed modern methods of diagnosing and treating diabetes, aiming to stop its "silent epidemic." Endocrinologists emphasized the critical importance of preventive measures and identifying risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and heredity.
Professor Sultanalieva explained that diagnosing diabetes does not require innovative technologies: it is sufficient to measure blood glucose levels. However, most identified cases are patients with type 2 diabetes, for whom the diagnosis is often made too late, when complications have already manifested.
Type 2 diabetes typically does not show symptoms in the early stages, and individuals may not feel a decline in health until serious cardiovascular issues and other organ problems develop. It is crucial to focus on prevention and early detection of the disease, especially in people over 40 years old.
According to presentations at the conference, healthcare workers of various specialties, including therapists, cardiologists, and nephrologists, are involved in assisting diabetes patients, as this disease can lead to disability and reduced lifespan. Researchers have calculated that diabetes shortens life by an average of 10 years.
Regarding treatment, Roza Sultanalieva reported that type 1 patients require constant insulin administration, which is provided free of charge, while there are significantly more type 2 patients, and not all medications are available through state funding. For example, metformin is available at a discount, but most other medications must be purchased by patients themselves.
Despite the fact that a law on diabetes has been adopted in the country, a lack of funding has not allowed for significant changes in the situation. The President of the Diabetic and Endocrinological Association, Svetlana Mamutova, emphasized that diabetes is not a priority in the healthcare system, and new medical facilities are needed for more effective treatment and prevention.
The conference also noted that only 120 endocrinologists serve more than 90,000 patients, including children, whose numbers are also rising. Doctors raised concerns about the lack of equipment and reagents for diagnosis, although modern technologies already allow for effective detection and treatment of the disease.
Despite the challenges, modern medicine has the necessary means for early detection and management of the disease. However, a significant part of the responsibility lies with the patients themselves, who must monitor their lifestyle and nutrition, as poor diet and low physical activity contribute to the development of diabetes.
The complexities of modern life undoubtedly affect the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but as Socrates said, "Health is not everything, but everything without health is nothing."
