Pakistan Ranks 7th in World – High prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan: experts

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI - Voicing concern over high prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan, experts said that Pakistan ranked 7th in the world with a prevalence rate of 6.8 per cent.

They were speaking at a three-day “First International Workshop on Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes” held here from July 24 to 26 under the joint auspices of National Institute of Child Health and Sanofi Pakistan. Over 50 doctors belonging to different parts of Pakistan attended the workshop. Eminent scientific experts were invited from Australia, USA, Japan and Thailand to conduct the workshop.

The workshop included a range of topics focusing on Type 1 diabetes, its management, risks and complications, (diabetes) management in a school setting, etc.

According to the experts, Type 2 diabetes is the more common one and occurs among adults. Type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes usually develops among children and teenagers, although it could develop at any age. That is why it is sometimes referred to as “juvenile” diabetes, they added.

In Pakistan, there is a dearth of awareness and focus on Type 1 diabetes, they added.

The workshop was organized to promote better understanding and management of Type 1 diabetes in the pediatric population of Pakistan.

Sanofi (in its various incarnations) has led the field in diabetes research and development for almost a century; from the first manufacture of insulin through to current-day development of insulin and oral therapies. Sanofi collaborates closely with health care organizations to improve the lives of people with diabetes through better management of their condition.