With the support of the Departments of Ophthalmology, Nephrology, Urology, Cardiology, Neurology, and Orthopedics, the AIMS Diabetes Care Programme provides intensive management of diabetes and diabetes–related problems including:

• Retinopathy
• Nephropathy
• Neuropathy
• Ischemic Heart Disease

The programme also offers:

• Management of gestational diabetes
• Paediatric diabetes clinics
• Psychological and social worker consultations
• Assessment of family risks of developing diabetes.

Management of Benign Thyroid Nodules by Alcohol Injection:
Selected benign nodules of the thyroid gland can be ablated by injection of alcohol into the lesion. There is good response and few side effects. The nodule shrinks in size and in inoperable cases, this modality of treatment can be considered an option.

Orbital Radiotherapy for Graves Ophthalmopathy
For advanced stages of Graves ophthalmopathy which are intolerant to or refractory to treatment with corticosteroids, the department, in conjunction with Departments of Radiation Therapy and Ophthalmology, has set up radiotherapy for the orbits. The Team will review and assess each case to see if it merits radiotherapy.

Exercise and Dietary Programme
An educational programme that is medically supervised, offers instructions for gradual behavior modification and includes sessions in diet control and self–blood glucose monitoring

Support groups and evening seminars
Registered dieticians provide nutritional instructions for individuals diagnosed with diabetes, lipid disorders, and those with weight reduction needs. Patients return to the clinic every other day for two months in an effort to re–pattern their lifestyle and eating habits. Designed for patients with:

• Obesity and/or diabetes or hyperlipidemia, who might also have other risk factors
• Multiple risk factors
• Coronary artery bypass grafts or myocardial infarctions (as a secondary prevention)
• Diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis

Primary prevention of Ischemic Heart Disease
The exercise programme is aimed at full fitness utilising treadmills, exercise bicycles, and other equipment under the guidance of a trained physiotherapist. The amount of exertion is gradually increased depending on each individual’s capability.

Inpatient Services
Patients are admitted to the appropriate ward and speciality as warranted by their clinical condition and diagnosis on admission to AIMS.

Amrita Diabetes Welfare Association
The number of people with diabetes has now increased to epidemic proportions in every country of the world, despite the wide variety of medicine available for attempting control of blood sugar. The most important aspect of the treatment of diabetes continues to be diet, exercise, and a change in life style. These objectives can be achieved only if proper education is imparted to patients with diabetes.
In order to better serve and communicate with patients with diabetes within the community, AIMS has initiated the Amrita Diabetes Welfare Association (ADWA). This association is intended to provide patients with a platform to raise relevant issues, including the cost of medicines and insulin, as it is ADWA’s intention to help poor patients who have difficulty in procuring diabetic medication such as insulin. The Association has organised a number of medical camps and educational programmes to spread information about the preventable complications of diabetes. The medical camps screen patients for diabetes, provide medical services for those already afflicted by the disease, and offer educational classes on diabetes. The Association is publishing a regular newsletter called DIABEAT for the benefit of its members.
Research into the values of alternative therapies like yoga and Ayurvedic medication in diabetes is a point of keen interest amongst Association members.
The Association is also funding research into the prevalence of diabetes in Kochi in order to define the scope of the problem and will plan further projects designed to address the disease at every level. Currently, over 1500 people are enrolled as members.
Activities of the association:

• Diabetic awareness classes and exhibitions
• Free medical camps
• School health programmes for diabetic awareness
• Free insulin distribution for poor patients
• Publication of DIABEAT - a quarterly magazine on diabetes care for patients
• Supply of Glucometers and Walkers on rental basis
• Documentaries for creating awareness of diabetes and it’s complications

DIABEAT
Diabeat is a quarterly magazine on diabetes published by the Department and is primarily intended to educate diabetic patients in all aspects of selfcare, to improve the understanding of the disease and its management, and to keep them updated on new developments in the field. It also contains useful tips on diet and exercise. First brought out in 2001, it has a wide circulation around Kerala and India with over 5000 subscribers. It is now available in Malayalam and English. Members of ADWA receive Diabeat free for one year. After that, they can get the magazine at a reduced subscription rate. In addition, ADWA members can avail of the free health checkup conducted in their areas on alternate years.
School Counselling Programme
A team consisting of volunteer counsellors, a trained diabetic educator and a social worker from the department provide a school counselling programme.
Patient Education
 The department conducts patient education camps regularly. In addition, CD-ROMs have been prepared by the department under the guidance of Dr. Bal and Dr. Usha Menon with the intention of providing valuable information to both diabetic patients and physicians. These are very popular and are available in Malayalam and English. They have also been translated into other Indian languages and can be obtained from the department at a nominal price.