WHO ranks Pakistan 7th on diabetes prevalence list

KARACHI - In Pakistan, 6.9 million people are affected by diabetes with the International Diabetes Federation estimating that this number will grow to 11.5 million by 2025 unless measures are taken to control the disease.

In 2007, 246 million people world-wide suffered from diabetes making the disease one of the most common non-communicable global diseases and the fourth leading cause of death in the world according to IDF estimates.

Diabetes is also one of the most common chronic diseases affecting children with about 200 children world-wide develop Type 1 diabetes every day. According to Dr Abdul Jabbar, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist, Aga Khan University (AKU) “Such a high instance of diabetes in children warrants that importance should be given to educating the public on the early warning signals of diabetes.”

The warning signs of diabetes are often overlooked and misdiagnosed as a flu or stomach viruses. Frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, lack of interest and concentration, blurred vision, vomiting and stomach pain are among some of the symptoms of diabetes.