KARACHI: Health experts representing a non-profit organisation announced on Saturday the launch of a network of 3,000 specialised diabetes clinics aimed at combating diabetes-related amputations and improving healthcare access.

These clinics, supported by the corporate sector, will provide free consultations to approximately 75,000 diabetes patients daily, especially in remote areas.

“We are scaling up the HPF’s diabetes clinics in Karachi to the national level, which will provide standardised care across Pakistan,” said Prof Abdul Basit, Vice Chairman of the Health Promotion Foundation (HPF), at the launch of the National Diabetes Network (NDN) during an international conference held at a local hotel.

The goal, he added, was to reduce the high rate of foot ulcers and amputations among diabetes patients in Pakistan.

“Thousands of Pakistanis face amputations due to unmanaged diabetes. Every day, around 35-40 people in Pakistan lose their lower limbs due to diabetes complications. Without timely intervention, this number could rise, with up to 600,000 people at risk of losing their legs by the end of the year,” Prof. Basit warned, urging societal support for the initiative.

The NDN, he explained, had been developed in collaboration with Meri Sehat, Pakistan’s first AI-enabled healthcare platform, and would be technically and financially supported by Getz Pharma.

“Patients will also receive medication at a 50 per cent discount and lab tests at a 25pc discount, courtesy of a partnership with Chughtai Lab,” he added.

Khalid Mahmood, Managing Director of Getz Pharma, expressed concern over Pakistan’s poor health indicators despite being a nuclear power.

He also highlighted the challenges faced by Pakistan’s healthcare system, such as limited access to trained endocrinologists and appropriate medical equipment, particularly in rural areas.

“This initiative aims to bridge that gap through technological infrastructure. We are committed to making diabetes care affordable and accessible by providing essential medications and insulin at subsidised rates,” Mr Mahmood affirmed.

Babar Rashid, representing Meri Sehat, underscored the psychological and social toll of diabetes, noting that an increasing number of youth were succumbing to diabetes-related complications.

“We have developed diabetes patient management software that allows doctors to manage multiple clinics remotely, reducing costs and enhancing the network’s sustainability. This innovative software will integrate patient data into the Diabetes Registry of Pakistan, centralising information for informed decision-making and advancing diabetes research,” he said.

Additionally, Mr Rashid mentioned that a learning management system and a certification programme for healthcare providers had been developed.

“This educational initiative is crucial for maintaining the high standards of care needed to manage diabetes effectively and prevent severe complications such as amputations,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2024