World Diabetes Day: Diabetes - the most common, confused disease
Around 6.7 million people are diabetic in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD:
It is estimated that around 3.4 million people in Pakistan are unaware if they are diabetic, which is an alarming state, according to the International Diabetic Foundation (IDF).
These statistics were shared by Pakistan Endocrine Society President Professor AH Aamir while briefing the media on Friday prior to the inauguration of a three-day annual conference on Diabetes and Endocrinology in the country.
He revealed that an estimated 6.7 million diabetic patients are in the country with 7.1 million at the risk of developing this disease, according to the IDF.
“The biggest work load of an Endocrinologist in Pakistan is diabetes,” he said.
Aamir said there is a need to create awareness among people to prevent developing diabetes by changing their life style.
“There is a need to tell people that instead of visiting fast food outlets they should better go for a walk, exercise, gym,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Zaman Sheikh, founding member of the Endocrine Society, said it is important for everyone to know that diabetes can be control but cannot be cured.
He said there are certain misperceptions as people believe that insulin is the last stage which is wrong. Secondly, they are not trained where to inject the insulin.
“Insulin should only be injected either in the inner thigh or the stomach,” he suggested.
He further informed the participants that automatic insulin pumps have been introduced in developed countries which will help diabetic patients to inject insulin.
“Hopefully it will be introduced in Pakistan too but might take longer as the technology is too expensive,” he said.
He further said that in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, diabetic patients are getting insulin free of cost and urged the federal and provincial governments to adopt the strategy.
Sheikh further said that a Gluco meter — a medical device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood — should be available in every household where there are diabetic patients.
“The government should wave-off all type of tax on Gluco meter so that every diabetic patient should afford it,” he suggested.
After the press conference, participants held a symbolic walk to mark World Diabetes Day, observed on November 14, and stress the need for its prevention through changing lifestyles, by saying no to junk food and adopting to exercise.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2014.
It is estimated that around 3.4 million people in Pakistan are unaware if they are diabetic, which is an alarming state, according to the International Diabetic Foundation (IDF).
These statistics were shared by Pakistan Endocrine Society President Professor AH Aamir while briefing the media on Friday prior to the inauguration of a three-day annual conference on Diabetes and Endocrinology in the country.
He revealed that an estimated 6.7 million diabetic patients are in the country with 7.1 million at the risk of developing this disease, according to the IDF.
“The biggest work load of an Endocrinologist in Pakistan is diabetes,” he said.
Aamir said there is a need to create awareness among people to prevent developing diabetes by changing their life style.
“There is a need to tell people that instead of visiting fast food outlets they should better go for a walk, exercise, gym,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Zaman Sheikh, founding member of the Endocrine Society, said it is important for everyone to know that diabetes can be control but cannot be cured.
He said there are certain misperceptions as people believe that insulin is the last stage which is wrong. Secondly, they are not trained where to inject the insulin.
“Insulin should only be injected either in the inner thigh or the stomach,” he suggested.
He further informed the participants that automatic insulin pumps have been introduced in developed countries which will help diabetic patients to inject insulin.
“Hopefully it will be introduced in Pakistan too but might take longer as the technology is too expensive,” he said.
He further said that in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, diabetic patients are getting insulin free of cost and urged the federal and provincial governments to adopt the strategy.
Sheikh further said that a Gluco meter — a medical device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood — should be available in every household where there are diabetic patients.
“The government should wave-off all type of tax on Gluco meter so that every diabetic patient should afford it,” he suggested.
After the press conference, participants held a symbolic walk to mark World Diabetes Day, observed on November 14, and stress the need for its prevention through changing lifestyles, by saying no to junk food and adopting to exercise.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2014.