Health experts on Tuesday stressed on the need to educate people about preventing and treating diabetes. According to estimates, 7.1 million Pakistanis are diabetic and the number will nearly double to 13.8 million by 2030.
They were addressing a public awareness seminar on diabetes on Tuesday at a local hotel. Health experts said diabetes is one of the leading causes behind blindness, renal failure, cardiovascular disease and foot ulcer.
Dr Zahid Miyan, an assistant professor at Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Karachi, said there is no national programme on the prevention of diabetes, nor is there specific funding for it.
Sharing statistics from Pakistan National Diabetes Survey and The International Diabetes Federation, he said 5.8% males and 6.8% females are affected by diabetes in urban areas and 5% males and 4.8% females in rural areas.
According to Miyan, 1.1 million type 2 diabetes patients are at risk of losing their vision, two million are suffering from renal disease, while 2.52 million are suffering from neuropathic disorders associated with diabetes. Around 1 million diabetic patients suffer from cardiovascular diseases. Around 14% deaths in South Asia are due to complications caused by diabetes.
Dr Bilal Bin Younis, in-charge Sakina Institute of Diabetes and Endocrine research centre said, “People should keep a check on their sugar level and weight gain as obesity and diabetes are interrelated.”
Dr Jamal Zafar senior physician at Pims, noted that every 15 seconds, a person dies because of complications from diabetes.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2012.
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