SIH, MKRMS, Roche join hands to fight diabetes

Wasim Akram inspires diabetic patients to fight back with vengeance

Islamabad: Legendary cricketer from the past Wasim Akram on Wednesday inspired thousands of diabetic patients across Pakistan to fight the debilitating disease with vengeance and to reclaim their lives by adopting an active lifestyle. “I took 400 wickets after being diagnosed with diabetes,” Wasim stated at a World Diabetes Day walk and seminar collaboratively organised by Shifa International Hospital (SIH), Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Memorial Society (MKRMS), and Roche.

Both SIH and MKRMS are individually renowned for their effective advocacy and public awareness ventures, particularly those related to health. Wednesday’s collaborative initiative between the two was particularly noteworthy; in addition to disseminating powerful messages, one could not help notice the meticulous arrangements made for the event. Since the diabetes campaign is represented by a blue circle logo, which signifies the unity of the diabetes community in response to the diabetic epidemic, plenty of blue balloons were used to symbolise the global resolve.

Addressing the audience, which consisted of a mix of doctors, employees of SIH, university students, and families, Wasim Akram emphasised the value of dietary controls to beat diabetes. He recollected how worried he was when first diagnosed with the disease. “Yet, I was told that I could fight back, and I did. I adhered to my doctor’s advice, and if you do the same, you will too,” he stated on an upbeat note.

Dismissing the myths associated with diabetes, Wasim rejected the common notion of fatigue and tiredness being linked with diabetes. “I spend time in the gym every day; regular physical activity is the best antidote for every ailment,” Wasim remarked, urging patients to remain undeterred by misconceptions. Sharing the secret of his physical fitness, he said, “One-kilometre walk every day, and strict dietary control has been my routine for many years, and that is what keeps me fit in my fifties.” Wasim termed public awareness as a crucial tool for timely diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, and thanked the organisers for the remarkable initiative. “Unhealthy diets and physical inactivity are key risk factors for diabetes,” he flagged.

The cricketer urged diabetic patients to assume charge of their lives, and to do all their work by themselves. He also encouraged them to question their doctors about why a certain medicine is being prescribed to them. “I too argue with my doctors about diabetes,” he said. Wasim propagated the need for early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes to remain protected from its complications.

“With increasing levels of poor nutrition and physical inactivity among people, type 2 diabetes has the potential to become a global public health issue, leading to serious health problems. One out of two adults currently living with diabetes is undiagnosed,” Wasim pointed out. In addition to Wasim Akram, the seminar was addressed by the Chief Executive Officer of SIH Dr. Manzoor-ul-Haq Qazi, consultant endocrinologist Dr. Tayyab Badshah, Chief Operating Officer SIH Aziz Ahmad Jan, chairman of Pakistan Red Crescent Dr. Saeed Elahi, country head of Roche Diabetic Care Sohail Akhtar Malik, and paediatric endocrinologist PIMS Dr. Shireen Gul. Senior editor Health Care Education Wasif Nagi from MKRMS and Azmatullah Qureshi from the media department of SIH ably moderated the event.

Dr. Manzoor Qazi highlighted the objective of arranging the awareness walk and seminar, and hoped that more and more people would benefit from the initiative by adhering to the preventive tips shared on the occasion. The importance of diet in the treatment of diabetes was also underlined.

Consultant endocrinologist Dr. Tayyab Badshah shared that Pakistan has only 24 endocrinologists, and of these, four are working at SIH. He educated the participants about factors affecting the diet of diabetic patients such as type of diabetes, complications, medications, blood sugar control, previous medical history, height, weight, age, gender, dietary history, eating patterns, favourite foods and their allergies, and physical activity. “Taking a balanced diet, indulging in regular physical activity, maintaining weight control, regular use of medications, and proper monitoring tests are a few essential measures that can help in preventing diabetes and its complications,” he advised.

All other speakers also delivered the same take-home message: “Regular physical activity and healthy sports is the surest guarantee for a better and productive life.” Be it diabetes or any other non-communicable disease (NCD), the importance of regular exercise in controlling the complications and risks of various NCDs is scientifically proven. The speakers also highlighted the need to eat healthy.

The seminar was preceded by an awareness walk in which participants were carrying placards inscribed with slogans relevant to this year’s World Diabetes Day theme, which is ‘Eyes on Diabetes - Act Today to Change Tomorrow.’ Rather than focusing on gloomy statistics portraying the threat that diabetes poses today, the organisers disseminated positive messages motivating and encouraging diabetic patients to strengthen their resolve and to fight back by adopting effective lifestyle modifications. Since the theme places specific emphasis on screening, ‘Screen and Beat Diabetes’ was the most prominent of all slogans.

The World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organisation in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign, reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.