KARACHI, Feb 26: Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro referring to resource constraint on part of the government to meet the fast growing challenges of non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus in the country, has assured support of the policy makers towards preventive efforts to combat both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of International Diabetes Conference, “Decade of Diabetes Care: In low resource and under-served communities,” organized by the Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University in coordination with the International Diabetes Federation.

He stressed need for a close coordination among health care professionals, educationists, social workers and policy makers to sensitize the masses about the causes of all diseases, including non-communicable infections with particular reference to diabetes mellitus.

Referring to available studies that diabetes is emerging as a serious threat to public health, specifically in South Asia, he expressed hope that the international conference with its three-day deliberations would come forward with submissions largely beneficial for people.

“In the present scenario, the whole thrust is on prevention which is cost effective, less expensive and is directly linked to awareness among both people as well as health care professionals,” he commented.

He stressed that comprehensive approach was required to be adopted on part of all concerned segments of the society.

Mohammedmian Soomro said that curative aspect to treat diseases could also not be ignored.

This was however expensive and hence private institutions and units working in health sector, pharmaceutical industry and philanthropists could play their role in collaboration with public health sector.

The honorary president of International Diabetes Federation, Prof Jak Jervell, mentioned that the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus Type-II having serious and severe implications on almost all human organs was growing fast across the globe against the backdrop of the fact that there was no cure for it.

“Diabetes has no cure and the fact is often very difficult to accept,” the senior expert said mentioning that there may be one to cure Diabetes Type-I but none for Type-II, which is but assuming epidemic proportions, particularly in the third world.

By educating people about proper management techniques, the severe consequences of diabetes could be largely contained helping diabetic to lead a quality and healthy life, he said.

“The most pertinent person in the management of diabetes is the patient (diabetic) ensuring a healthy lifestyle for himself,” he elaborated.

Prof Jervell observed that it was the responsibility of doctors and health care professionals to educate their diabetic patients and provide them with the essential tools to manage the disease and avert any possible crisis.

Prof Karel Bakker, the chairman of International Diabetes Federation’s Consultative Section, in his presentation said that the IDF with 150 member countries was concentrating on promoting diabetes care, prevention and cure worldwide.

Diabetes, he said, was emerging as a major health problem across the globe with some 200 million inflicted with it while the number was feared to grow by over 300 million in the next 25 years.

Prof Bakker said it was alarming that half of these patients would be found in Asia, which was already experiencing economic difficulties. Due to given facts, Prof Bakker said, the federation had adopted “Diabetes care for everybody” as its theme for the year 2006.

The federation was also focussing on achieving varied targets ranging from public awareness to funding for non-communicable diseases; possible care for all diabetics and above all persuade governments to develop national network for health care so that no one was left without proper treatment and care.

Dr Bakker mentioned that two third of the world’s diabetics pertained to age group between 35 years and 63 years with early onset chances for complications.

However, he said, these were preventable through diet, physical activity, good glucose control.

Proper monitoring can also help control the ailment and prevent its complications ranging from amputation to kidney failure to blindness, he added.

Dr Mahen Wijesuriya said that since the world, particularly South East Asian countries, had not been able to contain the tide of the disease yet it would be appropriate to equally focus on all four identified components of the diabetes etiology that included foetal origin, stress, lifestyle and genetic factors.

The session was also addressed by Baqai University Vice-Chancellor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Azhar Ahmed and Dr Abdul Basit. Baqai University Chancellor Dr Fareeduddin Baqai and Pro-Chancellor Dr Zahida Baqai presented mementos to the guest speakers.

Addressing a press conference organized on the side lines of the International Diabetes Conference, experts representing international diabetes federation said that world experienced diabetes induced limb amputation in every 30 seconds and every year 3.2 million deaths were attributable to the disease.

Dr Karel Bakker substituting for IDF Vice-President Prof Rhys Williams said that the slogan “Diabetes Care for All” was meant to emphasize that no person with diabetes was overlooked and everyone were made aware of the care, prevention and education possibilities that were available to them.

“In Pakistan, deaths from diabetes alone are projected to increase by 51 per cent over the next 10 years,” the speakers warned mentioning that many people are more vulnerable because they do not have access to appropriate health care and education.

It was mentioned that Pakistan alone currently counts 6.2 million people with diabetes and estimated figures for 2025 suggests that this will almost double and reach at 11.6.

Representatives from the IDF mentioned that poverty and social exclusion increased the risks of developing diabetes, the complications associated with the disease and dying as a consequence of diabetes.

According to WHO, an annual two per cent reduction in chronic disease death rates in Pakistan would provide an economic gain of one billion dollar over the next 10 years.

It was observed that various factors often prevented economically disadvantaged people from receiving the medical intervention they needed.

The speakers elaborated that material deprivation, unhealthy living conditions, limited access to good quality health care, the high cost of transportation and extra charges for treatment were some of the barriers to health care in developed as well as developing countries.

They mentioned that diabetes could cause individuals and their entire family to fall into poverty.

In developing countries, the disease was said to mostly affect people in their working age whereas in developed countries the majority of people with diabetes was above the age of retirement.

The speakers stressed that every person with diabetes deserved the highest quality of care that their health care service could provide.

Prof Abdul Basit said that his organization realizing its responsibility towards people had set up in-patient specialized diabetes service along with 24 hour acute diabetic and non-diabetic medical emergencies coverage. —APP