Jaipur, March 28 Padmaja Kumari Parmar, a member of the former royal family of Udaipur, called for a global shift in perception regarding diabetes on Saturday, urging an end to stigma and discrimination at a summit here.
Addressing the Global Summit to End Diabetes Stigma, co-hosted by "Friends of Mewar" and organized with support from global organizations including the International Diabetes Federation, Parmar drew from her four-decade-long experience of living with Type 1 diabetes to emphasize dignity and empathy.
"After forty years, we deserve freedom from stigma," she said, urging greater awareness and open conversations.
Parmar belongs to the House of Mewar, the former royal house in Udaipur. She is the founder of "Friends of Mewar," a non-profit organization created to preserve cultural heritage, provide preventive healthcare, and promote women's empowerment and education.
Over 300 delegates from more than 30 countries attended the two-day summit, organized under the leadership of the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes, aimed at developing a global roadmap for tackling diabetes-related stigma.
Officials said that nearly four in five people with diabetes face stigma globally, highlighting the need for coordinated action.