“Young people in Pakistan are developing non-communicable diseases at an alarming rate as a result of sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, and physical inactivity”, said Prof. Khalid Iraqi.
To combat the rising incidence of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the nation, Officials and experts have urged the authorities to develop a national action plan.
“Young people in Pakistan are developing non-communicable diseases at an alarming rate as a result of sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, and physical inactivity” Prof. Khalid Iraqi, vice chancellor of Karachi University, spoke at a recent diabetes awareness event on campus.
“While the economy is unable to support the burden of the millions of diabetics, cardiovascular disease patients, and other NCD patients, Pakistan’s health system is also in disarray “, said Prof. Khalid Iraqi.
Officials and experts have warned that Pakistan cannot support the financial burden of treating millions of diabetics at a time when the disease is developing in people as young as 25 to 35 years old as a result of a sedentary lifestyle, an unhealthy diet, and obesity.
Prior to the seminar, many students, faculty members, and staff members marched from the Silver Jubilee gate of the university to the administration block while carrying banners and placards with messages against diabetes to emphasize the significance of physical activity in the prevention of diseases.
The walk and seminar were organized under the aegis of “Discovering Diabetes,” a project of the regional pharmaceutical company PharmEvo, and featured lectures from eminent cardiologists, diabetologists, pharmacists, and academicians.
They emphasised the value of exercise, education, early detection, and preventive measures that could help lessen the burden of lifestyle diseases in Pakistan.
Outside the Arts Auditorium, facilities for free screening tests were available for educators, students, and staff. “As a country, we must abandon myths and embrace reality. Pakistan will be at the top of the list of nations with diabetes if the rate of diabetes continues to rise quickly and we do not take serious steps to prevent this disease by failing to change our lifestyle “Professor Iraqi issued a warning.
He acknowledged PharmEvo‘s contribution to raising awareness about the spread of diabetes and praised their excellent Discovering Diabetes initiative. He hoped it would significantly combat the prevalence of diabetes in the country.