Better than cure: Survey to assess number of diabetics

Tarakai says Rs25m was being spent every year on Insulin For Life programme

PESHAWAR: The provincial government has decided to conduct a survey to determine the number of patients suffering from diabetes.

This was said by Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai during an event organised at a hotel in the city on Friday. The forum was organised by the health department in collaboration with Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) and Novo Nordisk, a Danish company that produces medicines to treat diabetes.

“At least 7,000 registered patients are benefiting from the Insulin For Life programme being run by the K-P government,” he said. “However, we need to ascertain the exact number of patients suffering from diabetes across K-P so that the project can be expanded to all districts.”

The programme aims to ensure efforts are made by the government, Novo Nordisk and all others stakeholders to facilitate diabetes patients and take steps to prevent the disease. Tarakai said around Rs25million were being spent every year to run the programme.

“However, the facility is only available in the provincial capital,” he said. “The government is committed to help every single patient across the province. We will involve the education department and municipal committee to raise awareness against the disease. We are also planning to form a taskforce to conduct a survey to ascertain the number of people with diabetes.”

Speaking on the occasion, HMC’s Professor Dr AH Aamir said diabetes has become a global threat.

“The K-P government has taken the initiative to provide free insulin for patients through the Insulin For Life programme,” he said.

Novo Nordisk Corporate Vice President Dr Ole Molskove told The Express Tribune the company can provide resources to the government to facilitate patients suffering from diabetes.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2015.