17 April 2004	Saturday	26 Safar 1425

KARACHI, April 16: The incidence of type-2 diabetes is rising in the world and all the countries that may face an epidemic by 2025 must join hands in a drive against the silent disease which causes several complications.

This was stated by the foreign and Pakistani delegates who spoke at the opening session of the 5th Diabetes in Asia Conference, organized on Friday by the Diabetic Association of Pakistan, in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation.

The speakers pointed out that 21 years from now the number of diabetics in the world would be more than 300 million. More than 75 per cent of the diabetics would be from the developing countries, including Pakistan.

On the occasion, Prof Samad Shera of the Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) explained that the conference had been organized to afford the foreign and local physicians an opportunity to work out a plan to combat the diabetes epidemic.

He was of the opinion that until the policymakers, physicians and paramedics, people with diabetes and the public were educated about issues in diabetes, the silent disease could not be stopped in its tracks.

The professor underscored the need for the changes required in the people's lifestyle. He urged the participants to emphasize at all times the importance of eating less and walking more.

Prof Morsi Arab, chairman of the IDF's East and Eastern Mediterranean Division, called for cooperation among all the countries having sizable populations of diabetics. He also underlined the need for creating awareness of the disease among the general population.

Dr Mahen Wijesuriya of Sri Lanka observed that life expectancy was increasing in most countries of the world. Old age, he said, should largely be problem-free. "That is why, it is important that old people do not become diabetics, because if they did the quality of their lives would suffer tremendously."

Prof Pierre Lefebre of the IDF said the incidence of type-2 diabetes was rising among children which was alarming. "It is important, therefore, that all the countries facing this problem should cooperate with each other." And within each country, there should be close cooperation between the governmental and non-governmental organizations. He said the mission of the IDF was to work with member countries to enhance the quality of the diabetics' lives.

Both I.A. Hanafi and Illahi Bakhsh Soomro, former speaker of the national assembly, praised the efforts of the DAP. They also urged the journalists to create awareness of the enormity of the problem.