Diabetics’ number to double in Pakistan by 2040

LAHORE: In every six second, one person dies due to diabetes in world and this number is greater than the number of people dying due to malaria, hepatitis and many other diseases.

This was stated by Lars Rebien Sorenson, the president and CEO of Novo Nordisk, with Jang. He said every third person on dialysis is diabetic and the total number of people suffering from diabetes in world was likely to grow from current 4.15 million to 642 million in 2040, while in Pakistan from 7.1 million to 14.4 million in 2040.

Lars said 50 percent of people don’t know that they diabetic. Type one diabetes is common in children and young people and it is treated with insulin, while type two diabetes is found in older people and insulin is given to them according to doctor recommendation.

He said that since diabetes incidence was alarming in Pakistan, his company has started a program — NOVO CARE — in which 60 diabetes educators enlighten people about diabetes, under supervision of expert doctors. These educators visit medical stores and clinics to create awareness about diabetes and insulin. He envisaged establishing a research centre in Pakistan and his firm is actively involved in research. The company is working on a project to make insulin from yeast which is very effective. His company would continue to invest in Pakistan, he added.