A big step forward in fight against diabetes

This country has, quite understandably, been gripped by the health threat posed by Covid-19 during the past six months.

But while tackling the thankfully diminishing tide of casualties, it’s imperative health chiefs don’t lose sight of patients with other life-imperilling diseases.

Certainly, type 2 diabetes, which raises the danger of heart disease, strokes and myriad other health problems, is among the most serious challenges facing the Nhs.

The scale of the obesity-linked epidemic is terrifying. There are around four million diabetes sufferers – and triple that number at risk. One in six hospital beds is occupied by patients afflicted by the illness.

One diabetic person every hour is forced to have a limb amputated. And the total bill is an eye-watering £10 billion a year. Even at a time when health spending is rising, this is utterly unsustainable.

so it’s heartening to see the Nhs pioneering a low-calorie, three-month diet of soups and shakes for sufferers which, studies indicate can conquer, and even reverse permanently, the condition.

if successful, the scheme could save thousands of lives. Ultimately though, the health service can’t – and shouldn’t – be responsible for everything. Most cases could be avoided in the first place if people showed a little self-discipline – choosing exercise over the couch and avoiding junk food. Prevention, after all, is better than cure.

That said, we should all take heart from this highly promising development.