India today stands at the centre of a silent epidemic. With over 100 million people living with diabetes (ICMR report), the country bears one of the world’s largest burdens of this chronic condition. What makes the situation more concerning is that nearly half of them remain undiagnosed for years. Limited access to specialists, high treatment costs, and delayed screenings have all deepened the gap between medical advice and patient action.
Despite a doctor-to-patient ratio of 1:834, better than the WHO-recommended 1:1000, India continues to face challenges in making quality healthcare both affordable and accessible.
Recognising this gap,
The Times of India has launched Medithon, a unique health awareness initiative that aims to bridge the doctor-patient divide. The upcoming
Diabetes Medithon on October 29 brings together some of India’s leading endocrinologists and diabetologists to discuss the realities of diabetes care, beyond medicine and numbers.
Panel 1: How diet, exercise and mental health shape diabetes management
11:00 - 11:45 AM
The conversation opens with a crucial focus on how lifestyle plays a defining role in diabetes control. Dr V. Mohan, Chairman of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai, and a Padma Shri awardee, joins Dr Sanjay Kalra, Treasurer of the International Society of Endocrinology, and Dr S. K. Wangnoo, Head of Apollo Centre for Obesity, Diabetes and Endocrinology, New Delhi.
Their session will explore how balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and mental well-being together form the triad of effective diabetes management. It also aims to break the misconception that diabetes is only about sugar levels, when in fact, it’s deeply influenced by stress and daily habits.
Panel 2: Role of family and caregivers
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Managing diabetes is not an individual journey, it’s a shared one. Dr Adlyne Reena Solomon, Professor of Endocrinology, and Dr Ghurulakshmi Moorthy, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist, both from Chennai, will highlight how emotional and practical support from family members can make treatment more consistent and effective.
Their discussion will underline how small acts, like meal planning, medication reminders, and empathetic communication, can improve adherence and outcomes for those living with diabetes.
Panel 3: Clearing confusion around diabetes management
1:00 - 1:45 PM
Diabetes comes with its fair share of myths, whether it’s about eating fruits, using insulin, or relying solely on home remedies. This panel, featuring Dr Umesh Kumar Garg of Pushpanjali Hospital, Agra, Dr Amit Rastogi from Meerut, and Dr Hamid Ashraf, Professor and Ex-Director, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Aligarh Muslim University, will take a hard look at the misinformation that often misguides patients.
Their discussion will separate medical facts from popular beliefs and encourage evidence-based management over social media-driven narratives.
Panel 4: Risk factors and complications
2:00 - 2:45 PM
This final session will move beyond diagnosis to talk about prevention and long-term care. Dr Uday Phadke, Director of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sahyadri Group of Hospitals, Pune, Dr Mohan Magdum, President, Endocrine Society, Maharashtra, and Dr Hemant Phatale, Endocrinologist and Diabetologist, Samrat Endocrine Institute, Sambhaji Nagar, will discuss why early monitoring and lifestyle discipline are key to avoiding complications such as neuropathy, kidney disease, and heart problems.
Their insights will help paint a clearer picture of what living well with diabetes truly means, focusing on prevention rather than crisis management.
The TOI Medithon on Diabetes is an effort to empower people with the right knowledge, bridge communication gaps between doctors and patients, and build awareness that can lead to early diagnosis and better control.
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