The first Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetic Society (PNDS) International Conference on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) began in Lahore on Friday, with the theme 4x4: Four NCDs & four shared modified risk factors.

The conference, organised and hosted by the PNDS in collaboration with The Nutrition Society United Kingdom and Ireland, is being attended by medical practitioners and experts from Pakistan as well as those representing several international bodies working with NCDs.

NCDs constitute the leading cause of death for Pakistanis but the country is far from addressing the issue in a holistic manner by taking all stakeholders on board and putting in place effective preventive and corrective measures.

The PNDS gathering aims to emphasise that creating awareness about NCDs among Pakistanis is critical, given how these diseases have disastrous implications for one's health as well as their financial well-being.

Day 1 of the conference kicked off on Nov 1 at a local hotel with workshops on carbohydrate counting, digital/e-health, obesity management, and a briefing on NCDs for journalists.

The sessions were followed by a formal inaugural ceremony with President Arif Alvi as the chief guest.

The conference will continue on Nov 2 and 3, constituting workshops, panel discussions as well as presentations of scientific papers. Practitioners and experts will address a range of topics around NCDs prevalent in Pakistan, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disease.