Healthy lifestyle to reduce Diabetes: Arif Alvi

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi, whilst commemorating World Diabetes Day has advised that people make healthier choices inorder to reduce the prevalence of Diabetes in Pakistan

“There is a need to prevent and better manage diabetes, a silent killer, by focusing on promoting a healthy lifestyle that may include regular exercise, diet spread, weight control, refraining from overeating and early diagnoses and management of the disease to reduce its burden in the country” said the President.

At a ceremony that took place at the Presidential House on World Diabetes Day, Dr Arif Alvi realised the pressing issues of rising cases of Diabetes in Pakistan. He noted that the incidence of this disease was the third largest in the world after India and China

The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Jakob Linulf, Vice Chancellor of Health Services Academy, Dr Shahzad Ali Khan, health professionals, and others.

The President suggested well-curated, effective campaigns to raise awareness for the disease, including WhatsApp chat bots as well as cell phone based applications and provided encouragement towards a healthy lifestyle to manage the disease.

Taking into account the statistics surrounding Diabetes, Dr Arif Alvi said that over 33 million individuals were diabetic and 400,000 people died yearly due to Diabetes.

“People should adopt a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet for the effective management of their blood sugar and for overall better health to save our tomorrow”, he reiterated.

Ambassador of Denmark, Jakob Linulf supported the President’s stance and  said that diabetes is largely an important healthcare challenge, and lifestyle modifications are crucial to curb this burden on Pakistan’s healthcare system.

He added that Denmark would always support and share its experience with Pakistan with regard to the disease.

The event concluded with the President exhibiting his appreciation of the prominent health professionals by offering them shields