SIUT observes World Diabetes Day

Medical experts warn diabetes is on the rise in country

According to an estimate, the number of diabetic patients in Pakistan is 10 million and it is expected to rise in future.

This was said by medical experts at an event organised at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) in connection with the World Diabetes Day, which is observed on November 14 every year.

The event was attended by diabetologists, clinical staff and a large number of people who visited the institute to avail screening facilities and obtain guidance about averting diabetes. The medical experts at SIUT gave a presentation which covered the prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan as well as at the global level.



Diabetes has been on the rise globally, the experts informed the audience. Quoting the figures of the International Diabetes Federation, the medical experts said there are currently 415 million people suffering from diabetes worldwide, which constitutes 10.7% of the adult population of the world. The speakers added that the figure is expected to rise to 642 million - 11.1% of the adult population of the world - by 2040 if no interventions are made.

Discussing the situation in Pakistan, the medical experts informed the attendants that the disease was on the rise in the country. There are currently 10 million diabetics in Pakistan and if measures are not taken to redress the situation, the figure has been projected to rise to approximately 14.4 million by 2040, they said.

Mentioning the factors which result in diabetes, the experts said consanguineous marriages were a major factor for rise in many diseases, including diabetes.

Two out of every five women with diabetes are of reproductive age, accounting for over 60 million women worldwide, the experts said, adding that women with type 2 diabetes were almost 10 times more likely to have coronary heart disease than women without the condition. Women with type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of early miscarriage or having a baby with malformation, they said.



The medical specialists added that Pakistani women were at a greater disadvantage as the country had a very small percentage of educated and economically independent women. Many women in the country who have diabetes are never diagnosed, they said.

The speakers told the attendants that the World Diabetes Day was themed around women this year. This year, the day is being observed with the theme, 'Women and Diabetes: Our right to a healthy future'.

The objective to observe a day for diabetes is to stress the need for educating public at large about the preventive measures against the disease, the experts said.

The day-long event at SIUT included question-and-answer sessions between visitors and medical experts, and lectures on different aspects of the disease including the intake of a healthy diet, exercise and foot care. The medical experts also stressed on maintaining a good glycaemic control (level of sugar in blood) and getting regular checkups from doctors.