KARACHI, Nov 12: It is feared that that there would be about 366 million diabetes patients in the world by the end of 2030 but this number could be reduced by improving living environment including better opportunities for healthy diet and increased physical activity.

This was stated in a workshop held to mark the World Diabetes Day by the Diabetic Association of Pakistan and the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre Karachi with the theme of ‘Diabetes in the disadvantaged and the vulnerable’ on Sunday.

Prof Nigel Unwin, Joint Director of Newcastle WHO Collaborating Centre for Diabetes, said that eight per cent population aging from 40 to 65 years had diabetes in the world while people of developing were the most vulnerable to the disease.

He said that about five to 10 per cent deaths in Africa and 16 to 18 per cent in Asia were attributed to diabetes and considered to be substantial cause of premature deaths.

“Diabetes also increases the risk of tuberculosis,” he said, adding that as many as 1.7 million people succumbed to tuberculosis every year and treatment of TB becomes quite difficult in case if patient was suffering from diabetes.One major cause, he explained, was globalisation as this had surged the foreign direct investment in the field of food and there was US$50 million investment taken place only in Pakistan by the giant food companies.

Prof Nigel noted that diabetes was also a threat for economic development globally.

Prof A. Samad Shera, Honrary President International Diabetes Federation and general secretary of DAP, said that this problem could not be catered until four stakeholders including policy makers, physicians, patients and general public paid due attention towards this menace. He lamented over deteriorating condition of health sector and said it was constitutional right of every citizen to have optimal health facilities.—PPI