About Us

DIABETES FOUNDATION (INDIA) or DFI was founded by Dr M M S Ahuja, Padma Shri and BC Roy Awardee, Prof and Head, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and after him was under the stewardship of Dr M G Karmarkar, Head, Department of Laboratory Medicine, AIIMS New Delhi and then under the stewardship of Mrs Rekha Sharma , former Chief Dietician AIIMS and former President Indian Dietetic Association, Country Representative and Director International Confederation of Dietetic Associations (ICDA). Now it is being headed by Dr Anoop Misra, Director and Head, Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Fortis Hospitals (New Delhi and NOIDA), (awarded the highest medical honor, Dr B C Roy Award, in 2006 and the Padmashri, a national honor in 2007, by the President of India).

DFI is dedicated to create awareness of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, heart diseases and metabolic syndrome among people and change their attitudes and behaviour to incorporate correct lifestyle practices.

Aims and Objectives of DFI

· To conduct research on the problem of Diabetes in India;

· To provide comprehensive clinical care for diabetics;

· To evolve a data bank on research and literature relating to Diabetes in India;

· To create awareness about correct nutrition and exercise in adults and children;

· To raise funds through grants, donations and collaborations for our ongoing nutrition and awareness programs;

· To raise funds through grants, donations and collaborations for construction of a Day Care Centre in New Delhi, India.

Our Services

· Free Diabetes assessment camps through our mobile van in underprivileged areas

· Consultation with Diabetes (Diabetologist/ Endocrinologist)

· Speech and hearing clinic

· Eye Care (Ophthalmologist)

· Diet, Nutrition & Wellness Advice by experienced Dietician and Nutrionist

· Psychological or trauma counselling

Our Governing Body

Overview

Established in 1986, we are a not-for-profit organization committed to fostering the holistic development of society. Our focus revolves around enhancing overall health through rigorous research initiatives and community health programs, with a special emphasis on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs).

At the core of our mission is the empowerment of the underprivileged. We strive to make a meaningful impact by delivering quality healthcare services, imparting crucial training, and establishing a robust referral networking system. This commitment extends specifically to marginalized sections of society, as we work diligently to bridge gaps and ensure that everyone, regardless of socio-economic background, has access to essential health resources and support.

Vision

To promote preventive health in diabetes and Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs) through service, training and research

Mission

To create awareness about correct nutrition and exercise in adults and children.
To conduct research on the problem of Diabetes in India.
To provide comprehensive clinical care for diabetics.
To evolve a data bank on research and literature relating to Diabetes in India.
To raise funds through grants, donations and collaborations for our ongoing nutrition and awareness programs.

About Founding member of Diabetes Foundation (India) Late Professor Man Mohan Singh Ahuja

Dr MMS Ahuja was born in Multan (now in Pakistan) on 16 August 1929. He began his MBBS at Lahore Medical College, but shifted to Madras Medical College after the Partition of India in 1947. He secured an MRCP at the first attempt at the Royal College of Physicians, London in 1956, and thereafter did his residency at Hammersmith Hospital, London. He returned to India and joined All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in 1958 as Registrar in Medicine, then as Associate Professor of Medicine in 1963 and later as Head of the Department of Medicine in 1969-82 and thereafter as Head, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism from 1982-89 and then as Dean AIIMS (1988-89), until his retirement in August 1989.

He was appointed as supernumerary Professor from 1989-91 after he was bestowed with the prestigious Nehru Fellowship in 1989. Dr Ahuja was instrumental in introducing the DM (Endocrinology) course at the Institute. He further completed his Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians, London in 1981, and was also awarded the prestigious Dr. BC Roy Award for Medical Research in 1982. He was also the recipient of several WHO Fellowships and AIIMS-New Zealand Exchange Program Fellowship. He published more than 150 original articles and has written 7 high standard books for post graduates in Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes. He was an expert in various examinations and selections of UPSC, NBE, ICMR, CSIR, DST and several Universities and public examination boards. He founded the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) in 1972 for advancement of diabetes research in India, which completed its Silver Jubilee in 1997.

He was awarded the civilian honour Padma Shri in 1993 for his tireless service in the field of Medicine. He also served as personal physician to then President of India, Shri R Venkataraman. After his retirement from AIIMS, he joined Sitaram Bhartiya Institute of Medical Education and Research, New Delhi, and worked there until his death in 1998. He founded DIABETES FOUNDATION (INDIA) in 1986 for further advancement in diabetes and metabolic research. Dr MMS Ahuja was a visionary who foresaw the impending diabetes epidemic that India and the world is facing now. As the founding father of Diabetes Foundation (India), he strove to fulfil the acute need for path-breaking diabetes and metabolic research in the Indian context. After his death in 1998, DFI carried forward his contribution towards diabetes research, under the able guidance of accomplished doctors and nutritionists from the world of health and medicine. DFI is committed to high standards of clinical research and seeks collaborations for research studies from organizations within India and abroad, to carry forward Dr MMS Ahuja’s dream.

Our Governing Body

ADVISORY BOARD

Internal Advisors

Prof. Anoop Misra
President

Externals Advisors

National Advisors

Dr. Rajiv Gupta
Vice Chairman, Rheumatology and Immunology,
Medanta Hospital

Prof. R.M. Pandey
Professor and Head,
Department of Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS),
New Delhi

Dr. Naval K Vikram
Professor, Department of Medicine,
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

Dr. Kalpana Luthra
Additional Professor.
Dept of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

Prof. K.K. Pant
Prof. Dept of Chemical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi

Dr. S.J. Passi
Public Health Nutrition Consultant
Head, Public Health Nutrition Div, LSTech Ventures Pvt Ltd.
Former Director, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi

International Advisors

Dr. Pramod Khosla
Associate Professor,
Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Prof. Andrew Hills
Professor of Allied Health Research – Maternity and Neonatology, Mater Mother’s Hospital, Mater Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia