Expert calls for easy availability of insulin, diabetes awareness drives

ISLAMABAD: Stressing the need for collaborative efforts and awareness campaigns to improve the life quality of diabetic patients, a health expert has urged authorities to ensure the availability of essential medicines to save them from potentially life-threatening complications.

In an interview with a private news channel, Assistant Professor Dr Syed Muhammad Hassan expressed concern over the rising number of diabetes patients in Pakistan, presenting a substantial challenge to the health and well-being of the population.

He urged the policymakers and health decision-makers to intensify their efforts to improve the lives of people with diabetes and work towards preventing the condition in those at high risk.

Dr Hassan said Pakistan had approximately 34 million people, constituting 26.7pc of the adult population (20-79 years), affected by diabetes. This prevalence is significantly higher than the global average of one out of every ten persons, he added.

He pointed out the shortage of insulin in various cities, terming it an alarming concern. He cautioned that if this situation persists, more individuals requiring insulin could face heightened risks of complications such as heart attacks and kidney failures.

In response to a query, Dr Hassan emphasized the importance of educating parents about early diagnosis and ensuring that physicians receive proper training for the timely and accurate identification of diabetes.

He also stressed the need for children with diabetes to have easy access to free insulin and blood glucose monitoring equipment, facilitating better disease management.

The expert underscored the urgency of addressing these issues to curb the rising diabetes rates and mitigate its associated health risks.