Govt urged to strengthen policies for diabetes prevention

KARACHI: Medical experts at a symposium called upon the government to implement and strengthen policies for the prevention and control of diabetes and disseminate tools to support national and local initiatives for the prevention and management of diabetes and its complications.
They were speaking at a seminar organized at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) on Wednesday in connection to World Diabetes Day 2012 at its Ojha Campus. National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE) and DUHS also organized diabetes awareness walk, public awareness program and free diabetic camp at the campus.
Pro Vice Chancellor DUHS Prof. M. Umer Farooq, Director NIDE Prof. M. Zaman Shaikh and General Secretary Diabetes Association of Pakistan (DAP) Professor A. Samad Shera were among the speakers.
Prof. M. Umer Farooq said that World diabetes day was celebrated on November 14 every year internationally to raise awareness among people about diabetes. World Diabetes day is a call to all those who are responsible for Diabetes care and can contribute to control it. "There is need to encourage governments to implement and strengthen policies for the prevention and control of diabetes and its complications. It is also necessary to disseminate tools to support national and local initiatives for the prevention and management of diabetes and its complications."
Prof. M. Zaman Shaikh, in his address said, for the general public and people at high risk of diabetes, the campaign raises awareness of the warning signs of diabetes and promotes action to encourage early diagnosis.
He also said that, in the year 2009, it was estimated that Pakistan was ranking on number 7 in the world with respect to the diabetic population that was 7.1 million. At that time, it was estimated by IDF that Pakistan will jump, from 7th position in 2010 to 4th in 2030, with an increased diabetic population of 13.8 million.