MKRMS seminar: ‘Every fourth person is diabetic in Pakistan’

LAHORE: Diabetes is the world’s fastest growing disease and serious complex condition can affect the entire body. It requires daily self care and if complications develop, diabetes can have an adverse impact on quality of life and can reduce life expectancy.

You can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and effectively managing it. The diabetics' body can’t maintain healthy level of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar which is the main source of energy in human body. Unhealthy level of glucose in blood can lead to health complications. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In diabetics, insulin is no longer produced or produced in insufficient quantity. The number of people with type 2 diabetes is growing in each country.

In 2013, diabetes caused 1.5 million deaths globally. Higher blood glucose level also caused an additional 2.2 million deaths, by increasing the risks of cardiovascular and other diseases.

These views were expressed by the speakers in awareness walk and seminar on "Diabetes 2017, Agahi Zindagi Hai" organised by Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society, Jang Group of Newspapers and Sakina Begum Institute of Diabetes and Endocrine Research (SIDER), Shalamar Hospital.Yushfa Zahid, a diabetic, was the chief guest of the event. Professor Dr Bilal Younas (Director SIDER Programme Development and Post Graduate Training Shalamar Medical and Dental College) delivered special lecture.

Dr Rozeena Arshad (Assistant Professor of Medicine SIDER, Shalamar Hospital), Faiza Kamal (Nutritionist) and Dr Maria Javaid (Assistant Professor of Diabetes SIDER, Shalamar Hospital) were the speakers. Brig (R) Anees Ahmad (Chief Executive Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences), Professor Zahid Bashir (Principal Shalamar Medical and Dental College) and Brig (R) Muhammad Naseem Ejaz participated in awareness walk. Dr Irfan Ali Sayed (General Manager Business Planning and Development, Shalamar Hospital) delivered vote of thanks.

Wasif Nagi (Senior Editor Health, Education, Current Affairs and Chairman Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Society, Jang Group of Newspapers) hosted the event.

Wasif Nagi said diabetes has two types. This disease can be controlled through awareness and this seminar was conducted to spread awareness about this disease. This disease stays with the patient forever. People should consult with the doctors instead of visiting quacks. He paid tribute to Chaudhry Ahmad Saeed.

Professor Dr Bilal bin Younas said hospital has named diabetes clinic after the mother of Chaudhry Ahmad Saeed. Our mission is to provide international level facilities to the patients and to make this department a centre of excellence. This is the best centre in Punjab and provides the best clinical services to the patients. Research is not given special attention in Pakistan; therefore, we are also working on it. Apart from diabetics, thyroid patients and women's problems are also treated here; he added. All doctors are engaged in providing services to the patients. This is the only department, where patients’ feet get treated and we have treated about 50,000 patients until now. In Pakistan, every fourth person is suffering from diabetes.

Dr Rozeena Arshad said about 2,000 diabetics' feet get affected, who are registered here and are getting treated. We have prevented 189 patients’ feet from amputation.

Faiza Kamal said food is fuel for human body and balanced diet keeps the working of internal system proper. Dietary ingredients provide health and nutrition to the body. We should include balanced quantity of wheat, rice, fruit, vegetables, milk and meat in our diet. Besides, late night eating habit is not good for our health. We should take healthy diet, should do exercise and physical activity as well as take medicines to control diabetes.

Dr Maria Javaid said no institution can develop unless the innovation, research and new technologies are included in the treatment of patients. Patients’ feet sense is checked in different ways after every six month or once a year. Some patients have to wear diabetic shoes due to wounds on their feet. Insulin pumps are available here for diabetics. These are expensive but are proved best in controlling insulin quantity in body.

Dr Irfan Ali Syed said doctor is responsible for taking care of patients. This seminar is aimed to spread awareness among people. Diabetes is spreading so quickly that this number will double in the coming few years. Other new programmes are also going to be launched in the hospital. It is very important to diagnose, treat, and cure for eliminating this disease. - Sitara Jabeen Butt