Managing diabetes effectively requires a shift from tracking prevalence to preventing blindness, heart attacks, and kidney failure, according to Dr V Mohan.

The clinical challenge in India is often framed by the rising prevalence of metabolic disease, yet this increase may paradoxically reflect a successful expansion of life expectancy. As populations age, the non-modifiable risk of age-related metabolic dysfunction naturally increases, leading to higher counts of existing and new cases.

Escalating multi-organ complications demand immediate intervention to halt the trajectory of silent cardio-renal-hepatic decline. Relying on simple blood glucose checks fails to address the underlying vascular degradation that drives clinical emergencies.

In an interview at TheRightDoctors studio at the 4th World Congress on Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Medicine (WCCKMM 2026) at the Leela, Mumbai, Dr Professor P C Manoria, Executive President, spoke with Dr V Mohan, Globally Renowned Diabetologist, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai, on shifting clinical priorities toward long-term organ protection.

In conversation with Dr P C Manoria, Dr V Mohan addressed this practice gap, highlighting that raw case numbers rise partly because life expectancy has advanced from 35 years to 72 years. Probing the clinical gap, Dr P C Manoria asked Dr V Mohan how to manage the mounting global metrics.

Responding to Dr P C Manoria's question on mounting global figures, Dr V Mohan noted that rising numbers are a reflection of national progress. He stated that focus must move away from raw prevalence toward the prevention of end-organ damage, such as blindness, amputation, and cardiovascular events.

Dr P C Manoria drew out Dr V Mohan's position on clinical success, with Dr V Mohan clarifying that success is defined by preventing complications through the "ABC" approach. He emphasized controlling HbA1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol as the foundational strategy for patient longevity.

The discussion highlighted the "silent killer" nature of metabolic syndrome. Dr P C Manoria noted the misconception that a lack of symptoms equates to health, while Dr V Mohan highlighted that regular check-ups allow for early detection of comorbidities like prostate or liver cancer.

Addressing the need for a more integrated medical approach, Dr V Mohan advocated for the cardiometabolic physician model. He noted that body systems are not compartmentalized and that insulin resistance affects everything from the liver to cognitive function in the brain.

Dr P C Manoria questioned the role of lifestyle, leading Dr V Mohan to emphasize primordial prevention. He argued that the current focus on academic pressure in India creates a health debt that manifests as early-onset heart attacks in the fourth decade of life.

The interview concluded by examining the necessity of holistic education in medical training. Will the introduction of empathy and ethics into the curriculum lead to a healthier nation, or will we continue to produce academic monsters at the cost of physical health, asks Dr V Mohan?

TheRightDoctors | Official Digital Knowledge Partner | WCCKMM 2026