ISLAMABAD: On World Diabetes Day, Pakistan was rocked by a stark alert from the World Health Organization (WHO): diabetes is tightening its grip on the country at an alarming rate, affecting an estimated 34.5 million people — roughly one in every three adults. With the highest diabetes prevalence in the world, Pakistan now accounts for over 40% of all cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, according to WHO.
This week, in an urgent bid to counter what experts describe as a silent national emergency, WHO and Pakistan’s Ministry of Health have launched an intensified wave of diabetes screening drives across hospitals and clinics nationwide. Their message is clear: early detection can be the difference between life and devastating complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and even limb amputation.
The stakes are high. WHO warns that four in ten people living with diabetes in the Region don’t know they have it, leaving millions vulnerable to irreversible damage.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal issued a direct call to action.
“Today we observe World Diabetes Day to highlight the rising burden of diabetes in Pakistan. Through the Prime Minister’s Diabetes Programme, we are promoting early detection, free screening, and healthier lifestyles. I urge all citizens to know their risk, get tested, and take simple steps like healthy eating and physical activity,” he said, expressing gratitude to partners and media for amplifying the life-saving message.
WHO Representative in Pakistan, Dr Luo Dapeng, echoed the urgency.
“Diabetes is a silent killer, but we can all do our part to protect ourselves and our families by adopting a healthy lifestyle and regular medical checkups. Prevention is always the best cure, and WHO will stand with Pakistan and its people to combat a disease that can be prevented or minimized through early detection and timely treatment.”
The global picture is equally sobering. WHO reports that diabetes cases worldwide have soared from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022, with low- and middle-income countries — including Pakistan — experiencing the fastest climb.
Yet there is hope. WHO stresses that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable, and the complications of all forms of diabetes can be delayed with proactive steps: nutritious eating, regular physical activity, early testing, appropriate treatment, avoiding tobacco, and cutting back on sugar.
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