PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali said here on Sunday that healthy lifestyle and healthy food could prevent dangerous and deadly diseases like diabetes.

“Diabetes is a silent killer. Diagnosis and proper management of this disease take time. Diabetes is a serious health challenge. To deal with this, we need to change our lifestyle. Prevention of diabetes can reduce the risk of other diseases,” he said.

He was addressing a function organised by Omar Diabetes Foundation on the occasion of World Diabetes Day at Governor’s House. “I will fully cooperate with the welfare institutions engaged in serving the ailing humanity,” he said.

Omar Diabetes Foundation chairman retired Justice Mian Mohammad Ajamal, chief executive Dr Umar Rohab, Dr Abrar Ahmed, Dr Sheikh Fahad Falah, members of the Board of Directors, diabetes experts, social and political workers and representatives of business community also participated in the ceremony.

Function held to mark World Diabetes Day

Justice Mian Mohammad Ajamal, Dr Abrar Ahmad and Dr Umar Wahab said that Omar Diabetes Foundation was serving people in Islamabad, Muzaffarabad and Peshawar.

They said that Pakistan was the third largest country in the world in terms of the prevalence of diabetes. They said there were more than 30 million diabetic patients in the country. Almost every fourth person is suffering from diabetes. Omer Diabetes Foundation is providing free treatment facilities to poor people and so far more than 40,000 patients have been treated by it.

The governor said on the occasion that service of suffering humanity was the greatest worship. He said that Omar Foundation was providing selfless services for eradication of diabetes.

“There is also a practical struggle. People, who consider selfless service of suffering humanity their motto, have a dignified position in the society,” he said.

The governor lauded Omar Foundation for creating awareness among people about diabetes and providing free treatment to poor patients. He said that research was being conducted to maintain a healthy body. He said that ablution and five-time daily prayers guaranteed it. “We have to focus on quality food while avoiding overeating to stay healthy,” he added.

On this occasion, a walk was also organised to raise awareness about diabetes. At the end of the ceremony, shields were given to doctors and other staff of the foundation. The governor was also presented with a guest of honour shield by the foundation.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2023