Diabetes spreading at alarming rate: expert

Says Pakistan ranks ninth in the world in terms of obesity with 33m diabetic patients

KARACHI:

Pakistan is the third country around the globe in terms of the number of people having diabetes, while it ranks first in the prevalence of diabetes. In Pakistan, the number of people suffering from type 1 diabetes is very less, but unfortunately, there are a large number of type-2 diabetes patients in the country and it is being spread rapidly which is a matter of concern.

One of the main causes of diabetes in our society is obesity. Pakistan ranks ninth in the world in terms of obesity. Currently, the number of diabetic patients in Pakistan is 33 million, while health experts fear that the actual number of diabetic patients has increased during the last couple of years. There is no doubt that diabetes is spreading in the country at an alarming rate and people are still not taking it seriously. These views were expressed by the renowned diabetes expert Dr Zahid Mian on Wednesday. He was addressing a seminar "Discovering Diabetes" organized by the University of Karachi at the Arts Auditorium.

The KU and Discovering Diabetes--a project of PharmEvo to spread awareness regarding diabetes in the country-earlier arranged a walk from Pharmacy Chowk to Admin Block. A large number of students, teachers, and employees participated in the awareness walk which was led by the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi.

Dr Zhaid Mian informed the audience that every six seconds at least two people are suffering from diabetes in the world. He mentioned that health problems are increasing due to unhealthy lifestyles in Pakistan in general and in Karachi particularly.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2023.