KU awareness seminar on diabetes indicates growing health crisis

Over 540 million people globally suffer from diabetes, and it could reach 643 million by 2030. Every six seconds, two people are diagnosed with diabetes. In low- and middle-income countries, four out of five individuals are living with diabetes, and every six seconds, one person dies from diabetes.

In Pakistan alone, there are currently 33 million diabetes patients, with experts fearing that the actual number might be much higher. Around three million Pakistanis suffer from foot ulcers, 16 to 20 percent face eye issues, and 28 percent of diabetes patients experience kidney failure and often require dialysis.

These alarming statistics were revealed by the renowned diabetes expert Dr Zahid Mian during an awareness seminar about the global diabetes epidemic organized by the Karachi University Medical Centre in collaboration with Discovering Diabetes in connection with the upcoming World Diabetes Day 2024. The event was held at the Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday.

During his presentation, Dr Zahid Mian highlighted the critical health challenges millions worldwide face. He shared that many people remain unaware that they have diabetes.

He explained that a single dialysis session costs at least 5,000 rupees, and with three sessions needed per week, the monthly cost can reach 60,000 rupees, becoming an economic burden for many.

On this occasion, the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi stressed the need for a realistic approach to healthcare. He urged that we must ensure the use of medications as prescribed by doctors rather than self-medicating.

He warned that if the current rate of diabetes continues without serious preventive measures and lifestyle changes, Pakistan could top the list of countries with the highest number of diabetes patients. He emphasized the importance of awareness, noting that universities, especially the University of Karachi, play a crucial role in spreading this knowledge.

The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi mentioned that this seminar provided a platform for experts to share valuable insights and stress the need for immediate and concerted efforts to tackle the diabetes crisis in Pakistan.

“As a nation, we must move away from myths and embrace reality. Unfortunately, our healthcare system is in a state of disarray and the lack of a proper system has led to a lack of discipline.”

The KU Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Science Professor Dr Shaista Tabassum pointed out that a significant portion of the population remains unaware of their condition due to unhealthy lifestyles, exacerbating health issues.

She observed that our society’s tragedy is that we resort to home remedies instead of prescribed medications. She emphasized the urgent need for awareness to prevent and control this disease.

The KU Chairperson of the Department of Psychology Professor Dr Anila Amber Malik shed light on the psychological impact of diabetes. She remarked that our dilemma is that we wait until we are diagnosed with a disease before considering lifestyle changes.

She highlighted that diabetes is primarily a psychological disorder with physical manifestations. She mentioned that when we talk about mental health issues, many aspects are linked to diabetes. Diabetes profoundly affects not just the individual but also their family members. We need to change our mindset to transform behavior and society.

She emphasized the role of the psychology department in changing mindsets and noted that managing diabetes involves exercises in self-control and self-management.

Earlier, the KU Medical Officer Dr Akmal Waheed emphasized that managing diabetes requires a strategic approach. He informed the audience that diabetes is a disease and controlling it is an art. The rapid increase in diabetes cases in Pakistan is alarming and necessitates urgent action.