Countrywide network of 3,000 free diabetes clinics launched 

KARACHI: The National Diabetes Network (NDN)—an initiative comprising 3,000 diabetes clinics -- has been launched across Pakistan, to provide free consultations to approximately 75,000 patients daily, particularly those living in remote areas having limited access to standardized medical care.

Announcing the launch of NDN at the NADEP Footcon 2024 conference, Prof. Abdul Basit, Vice Chairman of the Health Promotion Foundation, said the network, established in collaboration with Meri Sehat—Pakistan’s first AI-enabled healthcare platform—and Getz Pharma, is set to provide standardized diabetes care to millions across the country.

Prof. Basit said the successful operation of NDN clinics in Karachi served as a foundation for this extensive expansion. Each of the 3,000 clinics will offer free consultations to 25 diabetes patients daily, he added.

“Our objective is to provide free consultations to 75,000 individuals every day across Pakistan. The patients will also benefit from a 50pc discount on medications and a 25pc discount on lab tests, thanks to our partnership with Chughtai Lab,” he said.

Prof. Basit also mentioned that NDN is expected to become the world’s largest free health network initiated by the private sector.

He acknowledged the essential support from Getz Pharma, which has contributed both financial and technical assistance.

Prof. Basit also addressed the serious issue of diabetes-related complications, pointing out that thousands in Pakistan suffer from foot ulcers and amputations due to uncontrolled diabetes. “Every day, around 35-40 people in Pakistan lose their lower limbs because of diabetes complications. Without proper intervention, up to 600,000 individuals could face amputations by the end of this year,” he warned, calling for wider societal support.

Getz Pharma Managing Director Khalid Mahmood lamented that Pakistan's health and social development indicators lag behind those of even some Sub-Saharan African countries.

“Despite being a nuclear power, Pakistan struggles with basic issues like vaccination coverage, nutrition, and maternal and child health,” he deplored.

Mahmood highlighted that Pakistan has the third-highest diabetes prevalence in the world, following China and India. He stressed the need to address the under-resourced healthcare system, particularly in rural areas where access to trained endocrinologists and medical equipment is scarce.

Getz Pharma is dedicated to making diabetes care more affordable by offering essential medicines and insulin at subsidized rates, he added.

Babar Rashid, CEO of Meri Sehat, voiced concern over the increasing number of young individuals dying prematurely due to diabetes complications. “No parent should have to bury their child because of a preventable disease,” he said.

He said Meri Sehat has developed innovative diabetes patient management software that enables doctors to remotely manage multiple clinics, reducing costs and ensuring the sustainability of the network. This software also integrates patient data into the Diabetes Registry of Pakistan (DROP), centralizing information for better decision-making and research, he added.

Mr Rashid said Meri Sehat has also established a Learning Management System (LMS) and a certification program for diabetes educators and doctors, ensuring that healthcare professionals across the network are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality care.