Staff Reporter
World Diabetes day is a day to create awareness on diabetes. The Diabetic Association of Pakistan and WHO Collaborating Centre Karachi organised it on Sunday. A Scientific session for the doctors was held in the forenoon.
The session began with a welcome address by Professor Abdul Basit Secretary General, Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP), Founding Member Diabetes in Asia Study Group (DASG), Director at Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, and Professor of Medicine Baqai Medical University.Karachi He introduced the theme of the World Diabetes Day “Diabetes: Nurses make the difference”.
Professor Abdul Basit, spoke on the topic of “Current Status of Diabetes care in Pakistan”. I am deeply grieved and so are all of us working in diabetes care especially across the country and the MENA Region about the sad demise of Prof. A. Samad Shera on March 02, 2020.
Professor M. Zaman Shaikh, Joint Secretary, Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP), Director of Sir Syed Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Professor of Medicine & Head of Department, Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences Karachi talked on “Lifestyle Management and Diabetes”. He said Diabetes prevention is as basic as eating more healthfully, becoming more physically active and losing extra fat. It’s never too late to start. Making a few simple changes in your lifestyle now may help avoid the serious health complications of diabetes down the road.
Farhana Tabassum, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Director Undergraduate Programs, Ziauddin University, College of Nursing Field Expert Sindh Health Care Commission talked on “Diabetes: Nurses make the Difference (IDF Theme)” She said Pakistan population growth rate between1998-2017 was 2.40% which is currently approximated to 221,420,100 and in 50 years it will double (world population review).
breakfast upto 120mg/dl. Treatment includes diet control, physical activity.
To enhance public awareness on diabetes for people with diabetes and their families an open session was organised in the afternoon. Prof Abdul Basit said diabetes emerged as a major health concern in Pakistan. Incidence of diabetes is rising worldwide. It is all due to unhealthy lifestyle and unawareness of disease. He said type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented but type 2 diabetes can be preventable by adopting good lifestyle that is “Eat less-Walk more”. There is need to increase awareness at all levels of society. Chief guest Lt Gen (R) Moin Uddin Haider, HI (M) Former Governor Sindh/Former Federal Minister of Interior applauded Diabetic Association of Pakistan’s efforts towards the improvement of diabetes care in Pakistan. He emphasised on the prevention and best management of diabetes to avoid complications.
A panel of experts comprising Prof Abdul Basit, Prof Ahmed Bilal, Prof M. Zaman Shaikh and Prof Shabeen Naz Masood replied the questions raised by the audience.
Later on chief guest inaugurated the pharmaceutical exhibition organised by the pharmaceutical companies.
