40th Prof. M. Viswanathan Oration Highlights Government’s Role in Combating Diabetes
Chennai: The 40th Prof. M. Viswanathan Gold Medal Oration was held at M.V. Diabetes in association with the Prof. M. Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, bringing together leading voices in diabetes care, research, and public health.
The highlight of the event was the conferring of the prestigious 40th Prof. M. Viswanathan Gold Medal Oration on Dr. Ashok Kumar Das, Dean Academics & Emeritus Professor at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute. In his oration, he emphasized the critical need for stronger collaboration between government systems and healthcare providers to address the growing burden of diabetes.
Dr. Das noted that low- and middle-income countries continue to bear a disproportionate share of diabetes cases, highlighting the alarming rise of diabetes among individuals under 30 years of age, which contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality.
The event also witnessed the presentation of the MVCON Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. A V Anoop, Managing Director of AVA Group of Companies. He was recognised for his contributions in integrating Ayurveda with modern medicine and promoting holistic approaches in diabetology.
Murali K, Director of Central Footwear Training Institute, attended the function as Chief Guest. The institute operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and plays a key role in skill development for the footwear industry.
A major highlight of the programme was the launch of a book on diabetic foot care by Dr. Vijay Viswanathan, Chief Physician at M.V. Diabetes. The publication reflects his extensive clinical experience and contributions to diabetic foot research. Dr. Viswanathan is also associated with the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot, contributing to global guidelines on wound healing and offloading.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Viswanathan underscored the importance of adopting a holistic and integrated approach to diabetes management. He called for coordinated efforts involving government agencies, healthcare professionals, and the community to tackle India’s growing diabetes burden effectively.
He further highlighted initiatives by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India, including the ongoing Diabetic Foot Ulcer Registry (Save the Feet, Keep Walking 2.0), aimed at improving patient outcomes through better data and research insights.
With over seven decades of experience, M.V. Diabetes continues to play a pivotal role in advancing comprehensive diabetes care, including specialised management of diabetic foot complications, through a dedicated and multidisciplinary team.
