ISLAMABAD: Around 19pc of people in Pakistan live with diabetes and efforts should be made to raise awareness among public so that everyone with diabetes can start receiving treatment, speakers said on Wednesday.

The event was held at Shifa International Hospital in connection with World Diabetes Day celebrated every year on Nov 14.

Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services chair Senator Khush Bakht Shujaat told participants that the theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day is about protecting one’s family by raising awareness about the impact of diabetes and promoting the role of the family in management, care, prevention and education about diabetes.

She emphasised the need to educate communities to restrain inactive lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise and physical activity, which are among the major controllable factors to prevent diabetes.

Consultant endocrinologist Dr Osama Ishtiaq said the overall prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan is 19pc, and more than 522 million people are currently living with diabetes around the world.

“Most of these cases are type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable through regular physical activity, a healthy and balanced diet and the promotion of healthy living environments. Families have a key role to play in addressing the modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes for patients and must be provided with educational and awareness resources and a suitable environment to live and adopt a healthier lifestyle. But type 1 diabetes is not preventable but can be managed with insulin injections,” he said.

Dr Umer Yousaf Raja Khan, another consultant endocrinologist, explained that diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when pancreas is no longer able to make insulin or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.

“Over the long-term high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues. Diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation. One in every two people currently living with diabetes is undiagnosed. Early diagnosis and treatment are key elements to prevent the complications of diabetes and achieve healthy outcomes,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2019