World Diabetes Day on Saturday, this year's theme is 'Act Fast on Diabetes'
World Diabetes Day falls tomorrow, Saturday (November 14). Like the rest of the world, Bangladesh will observe the day with the aim of raising public awareness. This year's theme for the day is 'Act Fast on Diabetes'. Every year the day is observed in about 170 countries, including Bangladesh.
In 1991, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) declared November 14 as World Diabetes Day. The day has been observed across the world since 2007.
At the request of the Bangladesh Diabetic Association, the government of Bangladesh proposed observing November 14 as World Diabetes Day at the United Nations. The proposal was adopted unanimously at the UN on December 20, 2006.
Bangladesh is among the leading countries in the world in terms of the number of people living with diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation's (IDF) updated 2025 figures, the number of adult diabetes patients in the country in 2024 was about 13.9 million. On that count Bangladesh ranks eighth in the world. The federation forecasts that the number of patients in the country could reach 23.1 million by 2050.
Dr Faria Afsana, president of the Bangladesh Endocrine Society and head of the endocrinology department at BIRDEM, said people with pre-diabetes and those at high risk must change their lifestyles to prevent diabetes. Losing 5 to 7 percent of body weight, brisk walking or exercise for at least 150 minutes a week, and controlling the intake of rice, flour and sugary drinks are essential.
She said everyone aged 35 or older should be tested for diabetes. Younger people who are overweight, or who have a family history, high blood pressure, PCOS or a history of gestational diabetes, should also be tested early.
The Bangladesh Diabetic Association has taken up various programmes for World Diabetes Day on Saturday. Creating public awareness about diabetes through these programmes is the day's main goal. The association's other affiliate institutions and affiliated associations in different districts have also taken up various programmes for the occasion.
To create public awareness about diabetes, initiatives have been taken to publish special supplements in daily newspapers, special issues of 'Kanti' and the 'Diabetes Newsletter', and awareness posters, leaflets and stickers.
