Public Awareness Session Held To Mark World Diabetes Day

Series of programs were held here Wednesday to mark World Diabetes 2018, celebrated with the theme "The Family and Diabetes".

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Nov, 2018 ) :Series of programs were held here Wednesday to mark World Diabetes 2018, celebrated with the theme "The Family and Diabetes".

National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) and Dow University of Health Sciences arranged health camps and seminar respectively to help citizens get examined their status with particular reference to Diabetes and also be sensitized about measures to prevent and manage the condition.

Large number of people, pertaining to different age groups and social strata attended the camp organized by NICVD and were screened for blood glucose, uric acid, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI), the major precursors to ascertain exact status of people in context of Diabetes.

Executive Director, NICVD, Dr. Nadeem Qamar and Dr. Saeed Mahar, senior endocrinologist cum diabetologist of the institute addressing the people highlighted the relevance of the current year's theme for day.

The theme "Family and Diabetes" they said highlights the impact of the disease on individuals as well as the families as the ailment has fast turned into a genetic disorder due to unchecked fondness for high density food and sedentary life style.

Highlighting the management of the condition, they said proper medical care, good exercise and healthy diet could protect patients from the severe implications of diabetes.

Speakers at the seminar organized by Dow University's National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE) reiterated need for focus on prevention of diabetes that was largely cost effective as compared to treatment of the condition.

Treatment of diabetes and its complication was reiterated to be beyond the capacity of the people belonging to average income group in the country.

Prof. Akhter Ali Baloch, NIDE Director mentioning that diabetes can affect every organ of the human body said prevention is the most efficient strategy to protect oneself from the condition.

Diabetes, he said was a persistent disease in which blood sugar is elevated either because pancreas may not be producing enough insulin (type 1 diabetes), or the body being unable to effectively use the insulin it produces (type 2 diabetes).

Dr. Ambreena Qureishi supplementing him said Over 90% cases of diabetes fall in the type 2 category which if not well controlled may lead to blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputations and other complications.

The session was also addressed by Dr.S.M.Hasan, Dr. Zareen Kiran, Dr. Faryal, Dr. Mohammad Shahid, Dr. Umar Khan, Dr. Farah Naz and Prof Zarnaz Wahid the Pro-Vice Chancellor of DUHS.