‘Pakistan has 3rd highest diabetic population’

Experts term ailment silent killer whose symptoms appear slowly

LAHORE:

Pakistan has become the country with the third highest number of people suffering from diabetes, said speakers at a seminar.

The awareness seminar was organised by Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences Karachi Director Prof M Zaman Sheikh with the collaboration of Express Media Group and Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine (PSIM). Top companies including HIGH-Q, Sanofi, Ferozsons Laboratories Limited, Martin Dow, Scotmann, Macter, Servier and Barrett Hodgson Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd also participated in the event and set up stalls. A large number of people from various sections of the society attended the seminar.

Provincial Caretaker Minister Professor Javed Akram, who was the chief guest, said Pakistan was turning into the capital of diabetes disease with 40 million people in the country suffering from the disease.

"The situation in the country with respect to the disease is alarming. There is the highest ratio of deaths due to diabetes in the country, while the patients also becoming victims of heart and kidney diseases. It is a very dangerous disease that affects the whole body and the quality of life. It is a tragedy that we have changed our lifestyle and ignored the importance of simplicity and our traditions regarding food and physical exercise. So called modernisation has created health issues for us and if we fail to bring under control the spread of diabetes then the whole budget of the country would not be enough to handle the disease. Those suffering from diabetes should also focus on controlling it,” he said on the occasion.

Prof Zaman Sheikh said diabetes is a silent killer whose symptoms appear slowly.

"Pakistan is on the third number with maximum patients of diabetes, while China is first and India second. Every third parson in the country is affected by diabetes, so there is a need for regular check-up. We can overcome type 2 diabetes with injections. Besides this, patients should use insulin as per suggestions of doctors,” he said.

PSIM General Secretary Dr Somia Iqtadar termed diabetes the mother of all diseases. “We should jointly think how we can secure our future generations from this disease,” she added.

Dr Shahla Javed Akram said patients should maintain their weight and the general public should improve their lifestyle. “A normal parson should walk 7,000 to 8,000 steps on a daily basis and focus on exercise. The people should avoid anxiety and try to sleep for adequate time. The important thing is that people should spend time for themselves,” she said.

Earlier, Express Forum Editor Ajmal Sattar Malik said, “We have always been on the frontline to make aware our viewers and readers about issues.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2023.