Every fourth Pakistani is diabetic: experts

Say country ranks third in prevalence of diabetes across world

KARACHI:

Endocrinologists said on Wednesday that every fourth person in Pakistan suffers from diabetes.

If this situation continues, every second person will be suffering from this disease in the next five years, they said.

Pakistan ranks third in the prevalence of diabetes following China and India,said University of Karachi Department of Biochemistry Professor Dr Shamim Qureshi quoting International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

According to the IDF, around 33 million people in the country are living with diabetes, he said addressing a seminar Access to Diabetes Care on Wednesday.

The department of biochemistry in collaboration with the University of Karachi Alumni Association (UKAA) Baltimore, USA organised a poster competition and seminar in connection with World Diabetes Day.

“During the Covid-19 lockdown, we have seen an increase in the prevalence of type-II diabetes around the world as well as in Pakistan as the pandemic has restricted physical activities and obesity was seen on the raise during the pandemic duration,” Dr Shamim said.

Dr Abbasi emphasised on structured training of health care providers to cope with the huge burden of diabetes at one end and ensuring uninterrupted affordable supply of medicines at the other

Consultant Dietician Mariam Abde Ali explained implications of a balanced diet on the health of diabetics.

Read More: ‘Exercise essential for controlling diabetes’

On this occasion, Dr Tooba Lateef conducted self-health assessment activity through a mobile app called NutriApp (T gamma developers) among participants. Through which participants curiously knew their ideal body weight, BMI, waist to hip ratio, recommended calories, and fluid intake.

Dr Shershah Syed, a renowned gynaecologist and surgeon, and Dr Sadaf Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Education Institute and Research Centre emphasised the importance of education for youth especially females. Baqai Institute of Endocrinology Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Abbasi also expressed his views.

The final year students of the biochemistry department participated in the poster competition. Dr Hina Mudassir, Dr Musarrat Jahan, and Dr Arisha Salman were the judges of the competition.

Ayesha Shahbaz won the competition. Maryum Laiquat, Rida Qamar, Hafiza Fatima Zehra, Ayesha Mustaqim, and Bakhtawar received special prizes.

Diabetes moot

Endocrinologist said on Wednesday that every fourth person in Pakistan suffers from diabetes.

If this situation continues, every second person will be suffering from this disease in next five years, Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) representatives said addressing the media at the Karachi Press Club.

An international diabetes conference will be organised by DAP in collaboration with Diabetes in Asia Study Group in Karachi on November 13 and 14, they said.

Patron of the Conference Prof Abdul Basit, Organising Committee Chairman Prof Zaman Sheikh, Prof Shabeen Naz Masood and Prof Asher spoke at the press conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2021.