According to statistics from International Diabetes Federation, India Chapter, around 65.1 million people are affected with diabetes compared to 50.8 million in 2010. World Health Organization (WHO) projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 2030.

Various organizations have started taking initiatives to improve the health of their employees, as behind the success of any organization is its productive and healthy workforce. To boost the health of corporate India further, World Trade Center Bangalore in collaboration with Columbia Asia Hospitals organized a Session on BIG FOUR - A Corporate Health Forum at World Trade Center on 21st January targeted at managing diabetes better.

The panel members at the forum included Mr. Balaram Menon, President- World Trade Center Bangalore, Dr. Nandakumar Jairam, Chairman and Medical Director, Columbia Asia Hospital, Mrs. Rekha, EHS Head, ANZ and Dr. Rajeshwari Janakiraman, Senior Consultant – Endocrinology, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Balaram Menon, President- World Trade Center Bangalore said, “Workplaces, nowadays, are certainly an important destination for increasing health awareness as employees spend most of their time at work. Successful companies rely on healthy, motivated employees who are productive and who have a sense of well-being. Employee wellness is no soft issue; human capital is a valuable asset, which should be well managed with as much focus as any other strategic business development. We, at the World Trade Center Bangalore look forward to work closely with Columbia Asia Hospitals and take forward the “BIG FOUR” initiative to the Corporates,”
 
“Big 4 intends to address the rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases in today’s corporate world. BIG FOUR aims to discuss the causes and effects of Diabetes, Obesity, Cardiac Diseases and Cancer, the four major concerns which is plaguing the corporate world,” added Mr. Menon.

“A number of non- communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension are increasing in epidemic proportions. Urbanization with lifestyle changes is the cause. In many it is due to work or work- related activity like traveling, phone calls. Reducing work stress, healthy eating, and regular exercise would go a long way to prevent these diseases. Instead of looking at deadlines corporates should focus on good and health promoting work culture,” said Dr. Rajeshwari Janakiraman, Senior Consultant – Endocrinology, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur.

Mrs. Rekha, EHS Head, ANZ shared the best practices implemented in her organization to keep away diabetes.

Dr. Nandakumar Jairam, Group Medical Chairman, Columbia Asia Hospitals, spoke about how diabetes is affecting the people in India and the importance of an initiative to fight diabetes. He was also the moderator for the event.