12m Pakistanis likely to suffer from diabetes in next decade, says speaker

Baqai Medical University students, faculty aim to educate citizens on need for healthy lifestyle

KARACHI: Almost 12 million Pakistanis are likely to suffer from diabetes in the next decade, claimed Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIDE) director Prof Dr Abdul Basit.

BIDE arranged the 18th diabetes awareness walk at Baqai Medical University (BMU). The objective of the walk was to create awareness about the increasing prevalence of the disease and the need to adopt a healthy lifestyle.



The walk was led by BMU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Zahida Baqai and Dr Basit and ended at Nizam Stadium after taking a round of the Baqai Medical College and Dental  College buildings.

Dr Basit said the purpose of organising the walk was to inform people about the harm caused by diabetes.

He added that about seven million people are already suffering from this disease and almost the same number are at the threshold. Unhealthy diets, the growing fast food culture and drinking carbonated beverages is affecting people of all age groups. High blood sugar levels may lead to a number of diseases, including obesity, hypertension and loss of sight.

Dr Baqai said that diabetes is one of the most serious diseases and should be treated accordingly, to prevent serious medical complications.

She said that diabetes poses health challenges to people across Pakistan and it is getting worse every year. She said the 2015 slogan of the World Diabetes Federation, 'Halt the Diabetes Epidemic', illustrates the disease's increasing prevalence.



Among eight distinguished diabetes clinics in the world, BIDE is Pakistan's only state of the art facility, Dr Basit added. He said that BIDE, under the aegis of the Baqai Medical University, is going to organise an international diabetes conference in Karachi from August 19 to 21 next year.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2015.