While in 1980 less than 1 percent of the Chinese population was diabetic, the number rose to 5.5 percent in 2001 and 9.7 percent in 2007, Yang notes.

The disease gets plenty of attention on World Diabetes Day, but the hospital tries to raise awareness all year. There are monthly public lectures, and the staff also organizes support group meetings for patients in the endocrinology department.

But the medical staff gradually realized they needed to engage patients and their families more, to inspire and motivate them to be proactive toward diabetes control, says Zhao Fang, the chief nurse with the department.

"Lectures are good, but they are one-sided and sound heavy," Zhao says.

"Then we came up with the idea of drama. Disease is scary, but drama is fun."

The hospital invited patients to help create the drama, and about 20 patients were eager to offer good suggestions for the story's plot.

"It is good that patients also get involved," Zhao says. "They provide a different perspective on diabetes."

Hu Jianzhong, 55, a Beijing resident who was diagnosed when he was 33, says he appreciates the hospital's efforts in educating the public, and he hopes people will be more alert to the threat and adopt healthy lifestyles.