Mumbai, Jan 28, 2017: Over 10,000 people were screened for diabetes and its health implications during a diabetes mela held here on Saturday.

The medical camp inaugurated by Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde, was organised to check the health status of the people here living with the risk of diabetes.

According to the organisers — Gadge Diabetes Center — the mela highlighted the effects and causes of diabetes with the help of skits, music and dance. "The mela helped spread a positive message," the centre said in a statement.

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India is considered as the Diabetes Capital of the world and as per the 2015 reports from International Diabetes Federation, 69.1 million people in India are diabetic.

"Diabetes is increasing exponentially in our country. The only way to curb is to create maximum awareness. By ensuring maximum people are a part of the awareness campaigns we can take a step forward in reducing diabetes," Pradeep Gadge, Chief Diabetologist, Gadge Diabetes Centre, said.

A recent study at the University of California, San Francisco revealed that alcohol addiction can increase the risk factors of diabetes and high blood pressure. (IANS)