Karachi, Throughout November 2023, Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) dedicated efforts to raise diabetes awareness, coinciding with World Diabetes Day on November 14. This initiative, which extended beyond the walls of IHHN, aimed to empower the general community in the face of a growing diabetes epidemic in Pakistan.
According to The Indus Hospital, the prevalence of diabetes among adults in Pakistan is alarmingly high, with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reporting a rate of 26.7%, affecting approximately 33 million individuals in 2021. With 26.9% of adults undiagnosed and an additional 11 million adults facing Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), the risk of complications is significant, posing a major threat to the country’s health system and economy. The Indus Hospital, Korangi Campus, is currently addressing this crisis by providing care to an average of 1500 diabetic patients each month.
IHHN’s awareness initiatives focused on combatting diabetes through lifestyle changes and effective treatment strategies, in line with the theme “Access to Diabetes Care.” These initiatives aimed at sustainable approaches to prevent diabetes and manage it effectively.
One such initiative was led by Dr. Saba Akhtar, Specialist, Diabetes Management Program, IHHN, who conducted a diabetes awareness session at Bank Al Habib Pvt Limited on November 16, 2023. The session focused on preventative strategies and effective diabetes management, highlighting the importance of holistic health in the corporate environment and its impact on workplace productivity.
Additionally, on November 8, 2023, Dr. Sumerah Jabeen, Head of the Department for Diabetes & Endocrinology at IHHN, in collaboration with the Pakistan Endocrine Society and Searle Pharmaceuticals, conducted a workshop for general practitioners in Korangi. This workshop emphasized the critical role of lifestyle choices in both the prevention and management of diabetes.
These efforts by IHHN reflect a comprehensive approach to tackling the diabetes challenge in Pakistan, highlighting the need for widespread awareness and action across various sectors of society.