Diabetes and current Indian scenario: A narrative review

Health needs assessment plays a critical role in identifying priorities and allocating resources to enhance health outcomes and reduce disparities. This write-up focuses on the health priority of diabetic care in India and highlights the challenges faced in its management. The prevalence of diabetes in India is alarmingly high and is projected to increase in the future, making it a significant concern. Key challenges include lack of awareness among the population, poor diagnosis, limited access to quality care, medication adherence issues, and physicians' limited time and knowledge. Insufficient awareness hampers prevention efforts and understanding of associated complications. Diagnosis and access to quality care remain major challenges, particularly in rural areas, due to various factors such as treatment costs and underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure. Medication adherence is a significant issue influenced by high costs, complex treatment regimens, and limited transportation options. Healthcare professionals face knowledge gaps and time constraints, affecting the optimal management of diabetes. The scarcity of trained professionals exacerbates the situation. The write-up also discusses current policies and programs in India for diabetes care, including the CARRS diabetes care delivery model, the Diabetes Tele Management System, and doctor training programs. While these initiatives aim to improve care, their effectiveness is not extensively evaluated. The conclusion emphasizes the need for increased awareness, improved diagnosis and access to care, medication affordability, enhanced healthcare professional training, and effective policy implementation to address the challenges in diabetic care in India.