Diabetic Association of Pakistan Secretary General Prof A Samad Shera revealed on Thursday that approximately seven million people were suffering from diabetes in Pakistan who were at the risk of developing other diseases.
He shared these statistics while addressing the Sanofi second international diabetes conference held at a local hotel. The conference was organised by Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) and Sanofi Pakistan in collaboration with WHO Collaborating Centre. International Diabetes Federation (IDF) President Sir Michael Hirst, Managing Director Sanofi Pakistan Ayub A Siddiqui and Ambassador My Diabetes Story Sana Ajmal also spoke.
Prof Shera said according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), currently there were seven million diabetic patients in Pakistan, and by 2030, Pakistan is projected to have 14 million diabetics. He said same number of people were at the risk of developing diabetes disease.
He said diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate in Pakistan and situation might take worst shape in coming years if the preventive measure could not be adopted at the earliest. He said unfortunately diabetes cases were also appearing in children and teenagers which were rare in the past.
He said diabetes in young age not only affects the human productivity but also puts major burden on national economy. He said rising trend of fast foods intake, less activities, overweight, and family history are major factor behind spread of diabetes cases in young generation.
He said diabetes situation is alarming in Pakistan and it needs serious preventive strategies to reduce the cases in future. He advised the people to adopt healthy life style to avoid diabetes and its related complications.
President International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Sir Michael Hirst pointed out that 1/8th of the world’s population will have diabetes or be at risk of developing diabetes by 2035. He said: “Diabetes is an increasingly serious social, economic and medical threat faced by nations that must be a high priority of any developing country’s health policy as diabetes is not just a health issue, but a development issue as it hinders progress”.
He said rising of diabetes cases were real challenges being faced by world and coordinated efforts were needed to reduce it. He said media should educate people about prevention strategies along with doctors.
Following the session, Sanofi announced the launch of a regional online initiative, “My Diabetes Story”. This is an online peer support portal promoting communication between people with diabetes. Each country is represented by a diabetic patient who is in control of his/her diabetes, is leading a successful, healthy life and is passionate about raising awareness, education and a positive attitude about dealing with diabetes in societies and communities. These patients are known in ‘My Diabetes Story’ as “Ambassadors”.
The program is supported by diabetes associations from around the MENA region, including the Pakistan Endocrine Society and features patient Ambassadors and members from multiple countries including UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
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