Rising diabetes cases becoming a challange

Insulin shortage in various cities is an extremely pressing and alarming issue, says health expert

ISLAMABAD:

Rapidly rising cases of diabetes in Pakistan present a significant challenge to the health and well-being of the people of the country, said health expert Dr Syed Muhammad Hassan.

He stressed the need for concerted efforts with more awareness campaigns to improve the lives of 'diabetic patients'. He asked the authorities concerned to ensure the availability of essential medicines in pharmacies as diabetes patients are at risk of life-threatening complications.

Policymakers must collectively make more efforts to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent the condition in those at high risk of developing it, he added. He said Pakistan has around 34 million people which is 26.7 per cent of the adult population (20-79 years) that are diabetic, much higher than the global average of 1 out of every 10 persons.

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He said the insulin shortage in various cities is an extremely pressing and alarming issue, adding if the current situation prevails then more diabetics who require insulin will be at risk of complications like heart attacks and kidney failures.

In response to a question, he stressed the importance of educating parents about early diagnosis and ensuring physicians receive proper training for timely and accurate identification of the condition.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2024.