On Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, the partners of the Transform Pakistan campaign have emphasized the correlation between the intake of industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFA) and the prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and other chronic health issues.
Pakistan is presently facing a troubling upswing in health challenges, with one in three adult Pakistanis living with diabetes. The country holds the highest global ranking in the prevalence of diabetes, ultimately making it the major killer of Pakistanis along with heart disease and stroke.
According to a press release issued Tuesday, the available data from Pakistan indicates that unhealthy diets, characterized by excessive sugar and salt intake, and the consumption of iTFAs play a substantial role in contributing to the epidemic of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems in the nation.
In turn, the hazards of trans fats are not merely an isolated health concern but are intricately linked to the broader narrative of achieving universal health coverage. “Industrially produced trans fats have become ubiquitous in the processed foods that fill our grocery store shelves, and pose a significant threat to cardiovascular health,” said Dr. Saba of Heartfile.
Earlier this year, with the support of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C), and in collaboration with other civil society organizations such as the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), and Heartfile, Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA) initiated the Transform Pakistan campaign.
