Bhubaneswar, Feb. 14: Endocrinologists of the state today called for more awareness on diseases such as diabetes, thyroid, and sexual and hormonal disorders, which are on the rise.

The experts urged the health care institutes to include more advanced courses in endocrinology to manage the ever-worsening scenario of diabetes. They also reminded people of the World Health Organisation's prediction that India might end up becoming the diabetic capital of the world by 2030.

Endocrinologists under the aegis of the Endocrinology Society of Odisha gathered here for the inauguration of their 5th annual conference, Esocon, in the city. Endocrinology is a super-specialty subject in the branch of physiology and medicine - which deals with endocrine glands and hormones in the human body.

A founding member of the Society of Endocrinology in India, R.J. Dash, said: 'While the diabetic and endocrine disorders have exceeded 200 million in the country, the number of endocrinologists is a mere 400. More medicos should study this super-specialisation subject.'

He also rued that several common endocrinal disorders remained undiagnosed and untreated or inadequately treated. 'This is due to the lack of existence of advanced centres for training, documentation, inadequate infrastructure, poor doctor-patient communication and poor treatment follow-up,' he said.

Dash said major areas to look into include screening of newborns for thyroid diseases, prevention of iodine deficiency disorders,hypothyroidismrelated to human immune system, Vitamin D deficiencysyndrome,fluoridetoxicity and metabolic bone disorders.

Organising secretary of the conference Pitambar Prusty said: 'Preventive care is most important, and in case there is a suspicion of any endocrine disorder, a specialist should be consulted.'

Co-organising secretary of the conference Abhaya Sahoo said: 'Awareness on endocrine disorders need to be spread more as the majority of the people with such diseases are in the prime of their youth.'

Suren Kumar Das, an associate professor of Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, said elderly people must be made aware of the need for regular check-up of their eyes and 'the youth should be aware oflifestyle diseases and concentrate more on exercise, weight loss and avoiding junk food'.