Diabetes crisis

Diabetes has become one of Pakistan's most pressing public health challenges, yet the response remains inadequate to the scale of the problem. According to the International Diabetes Federation, an estimated 34.5 million adults in the country are living with the disease, of whom 9.3 million remain undiagnosed. The number could reach 70.2 million by 2050, placing an even greater burden on an already overstretched healthcare system. These figures, highlighted at a recent briefing organised by the Aga Khan University Hospital, demand urgent attention from health authorities.

Particularly concerning is the increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among younger adults. Once associated predominantly with advancing age, the disease is now affecting people during their most productive years. Its consequences extend well beyond elevated blood sugar levels. Poorly managed diabetes can result in cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness and limb amputations, imposing substantial financial and emotional costs on patients and their families.

Pakistan's healthcare system remains largely oriented towards treating illnesses rather than preventing them. Limited public awareness and the high cost of sustained treatment leave many patients vulnerable to complications that could otherwise be prevented or delayed. The fact that more than a quarter of those living with diabetes remain unaware of their condition reflects serious deficiencies in early detection.

As a first step, routine screening must become accessible through primary healthcare facilities, particularly for high-risk individuals. Public awareness campaigns should encourage healthier diets and physical activity, while schools and workplaces must promote healthier lifestyles. Equally important is ensuring affordable access to medicines and diagnostic tests. Pakistan can no longer afford to treat this growing epidemic as a matter of individual responsibility alone. Diabetes prevention must become a national health priority.