KARACHI:
According to the World of Statistics, Pakistan has the highest number of diabetes patients in the world. The rate of prevalence is 30.8% in the country. Most South Asian countries have a high incidence of diabetes perhaps due to our unhealthy diets and lifestyles coupled with poor healthcare provision.
If left unattended, diabetes can play havoc on the human body and can potentially harm vital organs of the body resulting in early death. Unfortunately, the healthcare department has failed to make a concerted effort to raise awareness about diabetes and its impacts. Few specialist centres have been created to cater to diabetes patients. At the top of my head, I can only think of The Diabetes Centre situated next to Phulgaran Toll Plaza on Murree Express.
There is a dire need to inform people about diabetes, particularly those living in rural areas. The Ministry of Healthcare should work with provincial healthcare departments and non-governmental organisations to improve outreach. People should be urged to change their erratic dietary habits and must undergo regular tests to ensure timely intervention and treatment. Incorporating other healthy habits such as regular exercise can further reduce the risk of diabetes. We cannot let our population fall prey to this menace and must take necessary measures to curb it.
Shahzad Lodhi
Rawalpindi
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2023.
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