World Diabetes Day tomorrow

World Diabetes Day falls tomorrow, on which day the birthday of Frederick Banting falls who along with Charles Best first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.

Diabetes (Type 1) is growing among children and adolescents by three per cent per year and at an alarming five per cent per year among pre-school children.

It is estimated that 70,000 children under 15 develop Type 1 diabetes each year. An estimated 440,000 children live with Type 1 diabetes globally.

Through Type 2 diabetes was once seen as a disease of adults, today it is growing at an alarming rate in children and adolescents.

In Sri Lanka 2.1 million persons have diabetes. This figure consists of 16 per cent urban and 8.6 per cent rural.