Controlling diabetes: Speakers for urgent steps to tackle disease
Consumption of junk food, lack of exercise blamed for high incidence.
Consumption of junk food, lack of exercise blamed for high incidence. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan needs to take concrete steps for prevention and treatment of diabetes, which is spreading at an alarming rate.
This was the crux of the message shared by speakers at the two-day Pakistan Diabetes Leadership Forum (PDLF) that started at a local hotel on Saturday. The purpose of the forum is to finalise an action plan for improving diabetes care outlined in the “WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2013-2020” at local and national levels.
There are around 6.7 million people with diagnosed diabetes in Pakistan. It is estimated that this number will jump to 12.8 million by 2035, placing Pakistan among countries with the highest number of people suffering from diabetes.
Health experts also expressed concern over the rise in the number of children and young people suffering from diabetes, blaming a high consumption of junk food and fizzy drinks. They suggested that everyone should take a balanced diet and exercise regularly to take steps to prevent diabetes.
Danish Ambassador Jesper Moller Sorensen, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) President Sir Michael Hirst, chief executive officer and president of Danish global healthcare company Novo Nordisk Lars Rebien Sørensen along with other health experts from Europe, Middle East and Pakistan are participating in the forum.
Lars said, “Diabetes is a major challenge to the healthcare system in Pakistan as well as to the people’s quality of life as only around 3 to 4 per cent of people with diabetes reach their treatment targets.”
He said that quality treatment facilities and awareness regarding its prevention could help Pakistan achieve its targets to control the disease.
Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSRC) Saira Afzal Tarar said, “We are working on a national policy on control and prevention of diabetes which will soon be shared with the provinces,” she said. She was of the view that as countries urbanise and people lead increasingly unhealthy lives, diabetes becomes more prevalent.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2014.
Pakistan needs to take concrete steps for prevention and treatment of diabetes, which is spreading at an alarming rate.
This was the crux of the message shared by speakers at the two-day Pakistan Diabetes Leadership Forum (PDLF) that started at a local hotel on Saturday. The purpose of the forum is to finalise an action plan for improving diabetes care outlined in the “WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2013-2020” at local and national levels.
There are around 6.7 million people with diagnosed diabetes in Pakistan. It is estimated that this number will jump to 12.8 million by 2035, placing Pakistan among countries with the highest number of people suffering from diabetes.
Health experts also expressed concern over the rise in the number of children and young people suffering from diabetes, blaming a high consumption of junk food and fizzy drinks. They suggested that everyone should take a balanced diet and exercise regularly to take steps to prevent diabetes.
Danish Ambassador Jesper Moller Sorensen, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) President Sir Michael Hirst, chief executive officer and president of Danish global healthcare company Novo Nordisk Lars Rebien Sørensen along with other health experts from Europe, Middle East and Pakistan are participating in the forum.
Lars said, “Diabetes is a major challenge to the healthcare system in Pakistan as well as to the people’s quality of life as only around 3 to 4 per cent of people with diabetes reach their treatment targets.”
He said that quality treatment facilities and awareness regarding its prevention could help Pakistan achieve its targets to control the disease.
Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSRC) Saira Afzal Tarar said, “We are working on a national policy on control and prevention of diabetes which will soon be shared with the provinces,” she said. She was of the view that as countries urbanise and people lead increasingly unhealthy lives, diabetes becomes more prevalent.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2014.