Rohri: Nearly one in every three drivers screened during a recent motorway health camp was found to be suffering from hypertension, while a similar number showed signs of diabetes and high cholesterol—highlighting a hidden health crisis among people traveling on Pakistan’s highways and motorways.
The screening camp was jointly organized by local pharmaceutical firm Pharmevo and the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) under their Discovering Hypertension and Discovering Diabetes outreach initiatives.
Held at the Rohri Service Area on the Sukkur–Multan Motorway (M-5), the camp provided free testing for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol to drivers of public and private vehicles.
Out of 120 individuals screened, 36—or 30 percent—were found to be hypertensive. Eight drivers (6.7 percent) had elevated cholesterol levels, while around 35 individuals were diagnosed with high blood sugar levels—many for the first time.
“These figures are alarming, as they indicate a population with little or no access to routine healthcare, despite living with conditions that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure,” said a public health expert associated with the screening project.
The data also revealed that the average age of those screened was in the mid-40s, pointing to the early onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in a relatively young, economically active segment of society.
Pharmevo’s project team noted that most participants had never undergone such tests before and were unaware of the silent nature of diseases like hypertension and diabetes. “This lack of awareness is as dangerous as the disease itself,” an official said.
Syed Farhan Ahmed, Sector Commander of the Motorway Police, emphasized that the health and safety of drivers is a top priority—not just from a traffic enforcement standpoint, but also in terms of their overall well-being.
“This initiative with Pharmevo is a vital step toward identifying hidden health risks that could lead to sudden medical emergencies on the road,” he said. “By conducting these screenings, we aim to reduce the risk of accidents caused by undiagnosed conditions like hypertension and diabetes. It’s about protecting lives—not only of the drivers but of everyone traveling on our highways.”
He added that long-distance drivers face unique health challenges due to extended working hours, irregular meals, and limited access to healthcare. The screening camp, he said, is part of a broader commitment to proactive health measures, with efforts underway to make such camps a regular feature across the motorway network.
Qazi Haseeb Alam of Pharmevo said the company’s mission goes beyond medicine—it is also about improving health awareness and access for underserved communities.
“The Discovering Hypertension and Discovering Diabetes campaigns are designed to bring essential health screenings to groups often overlooked by the healthcare system, such as long-distance drivers,” he said. “Many of them are unaware they have conditions that could seriously impact their lives or even lead to fatal emergencies. By partnering with NHMP, we’re reaching them directly at service areas, offering free health checks and critical education.”