Published on July 10, 2023
At Tata Motors, it is recognised that pre-diabetes is a serious but manageable condition. A person who is diagnosed with pre-diabetes has a blood sugar level higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. Diabetes, if not diagnosed in time or inadequately treated, leads to multiple chronic complications and irreversible disability. Heart disease and paralysis are more common in diabetics than in the general population. Complications like deterioration in vision, derangement in kidney function and neuropathy are serious health issues resulting in deterioration of the quality of life. However, through lifestyle change like diet, weight control and exercise, the progression of pre-diabetes to diabetes can be prevented. Unfortunately, there is still inadequate awareness about the pre-diabetes stage.
Tata Motors has taken the initiative to educate employees about pre-diabetes.
The Glycosylated Haemoglobin (GHbA1c) test reflects the mean blood glucose level of around 3 months. Tata Motors helped 7835 employees to undergo this test, post which pre-diabetes was diagnosed in 2792 employees. Blood sugar test of other employees was also carried out, wherein an additional 221 employees were found to be in the pre-diabetes stage. Pre-diabetes stage was diagnosed in overall 3013 employees.
All these employees were counselled by doctors at Tata Motors. In addition to awareness programmes being organised with the help of a dietician, a weight management programme was also offered to employees.
A repeat test after a few months showed that the pre-diabetes had progressed to diabetes in 106 of 3013 employees tested, which in percentage terms comes to 3.5%. This percentage conversion is lower than the prevalent conversion in general. This is a flagship programme at Tata Motors, and the company will continue to drive it in the coming years.