KARACHI, Dec 17: Several well-known doctors took part in a seminar held on Wednesday in the Khalikdina Hall in connection with the World Diabetes Day. They sought to create awareness of prevention, treatment and complications of diabetes.

The event was presided over by Prof Ali M. Ansari, a former health secretary. In his speech, the professor said that in view of the high number of diabetics in the country, a national plan to combat it was needed.

Prof Tipu Sultan of the Dow Medical College said diabetes should be taught in detail at the country’s medical college. Prof Abdul Shakoor Kazi of the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre said every tertiary care hospital should have a fully fledged diabetes clinic.

Prof Azhar Farooqui of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases spoke at length on the link between diabetes and hypertension. Prof Jafar Naqvi talked about the effects of diabetes on the kidney.

Prof Mashoor Alam said food rich in cholesterol should be avoided by the people. He underscored the need to create awareness of diabetes in the country, especially because millions of diabetics inhabited it.

Prof Masood Hameed Khan, Prof Zaman Sheikh, Prof Nusrat Khan, Prof Nilofar Safdar, Dr Masroor and Dr Huma Mir also spoke.