LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Health Minister Prof Dr Javed Akram says Pakistan needs 500,000 dialysis machines to address the treatment needs of renal failure patients.

Unfortunately, he said, the country was having only 50,000 dialysis machines, indicating the grave situation in respect of chronic shortage of the life-saving equipment in Pakistan.

The public and private sector hospitals, medical organisations and other health institutions observed the World Diabetes Day by organising several events across Punjab on Tuesday.

Most activities were witnessed in Lahore where the awareness walks were also arranged to disseminate the information about the treatment and prevention of the disease.

Addressing a seminar held here to mark the World Diabetes Day, Prof Akram said many medical organisations were raising awareness among the public and the decision making authorities to shift maximum focus towards the prevention of the disease in-question.

IPH: The Nutrition Department of the Institute of Public Health (IPH) arranged a seminar in connection with the World Diabetes Day.

Medical experts suggested controlling obesity to avoid diabetes which was also one of the leading causes of high blood pressure, heart diseases, renal failure and blindness.

They said the citizens should minimise the consumption of sugar and sweets as the eating less food, avoiding junk food, cold drinks and doing regular exercise play a key role in keeping a person healthy. They said that the burden of diseases in Pakistan was increasing day by day and the diabetes leading root cause of a majority of the ailments.

IPH Dean Prof Dr Zarfashan Tahir said that 32 million people in Pakistan are suffering from the diabetes. This disease is a big cause of other deadly diseases, she said.

She said that in order to prevent the disease, medical experts and nutritionists must make coordinated and joint efforts and special attention must also be paid to raise public awareness.

Dr Mehreen Farooqi said every person who reaches the age of 35 years should undergo blood screening with reference to sugar so that if diabetes is diagnosed, it can be treated and prevented at the beginning.

Dr Mehreen highlighted the efficacy of insulin in the treatment of diabetes. She said that 35 per cent of deaths in Pakistan before the age of 60 are due to diabetes. She said people should focus on their fitness, outdoor activities and daily exercise.

Walking 500 steps per day reduces the risk factors.

Dr Mahnaz Nasir Khan said people would have to change daily lifestyle and eating habits. She said that one should eat to live not one should live to eat.

A symbolic walk was also organized at the end of the seminar.

CAMP: A nutrition camp was also organised on this occasion, in which doctors conducted free sugar test, blood pressure and weight check of the people and informed them about the prevention, management and preventive measures of the diabetes.

MINSITER: Caretaker Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr Jamal Nasir said that special clinics for treatment of non-communicable diseases have been established at all the district and tehsil headquarters hospitals across the province and diabetic patients may visit these clinics for necessary advice, diagnosis and treatment.

BALIG: Governor Balighur Rehman says diabetes and other diseases can be prevented by adopting Islamic lifestyle.

Speaking at a ceremony in connection with the World Diabetes Day at Governor House, Mr Rehman said it was possible to prevent this disease with timely diagnosis. He said there was a need to create awareness among the people to prevent diabetes.

The number of diabetics in Pakistan was increasing to an alarming extent, he said, adding there was a need to change lifestyle to get rid of this disease.

He said being a chancellor, he would direct vice chancellors of all universities across the province in writing to organise seminars and workshops to create awareness among students about diabetes.

The governor also led an awareness walk from Alhamra Arts Council to the Governor House.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2023