Islamabad: As diabetes affects an estimated 34.5 million adults in Pakistan and drives a growing epidemic of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure, a Pakistani endocrinologist has been appointed Congress Co-chair of one of the world’s largest endocrinology meetings and used the platform to highlight the cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes.
Prof Dr Syed Abbas Raza represented Pakistan as Congress Co-chair at the 22nd International Congress of Endocrinology (ICE 2026) and the 99th Annual Congress of the Japan Endocrine Society held in Kyoto, Japan, where thousands of specialists from around the world gathered to discuss emerging challenges in diabetes, obesity and metabolic diseases.
The appointment is being seen as a significant recognition for Pakistan’s endocrinology community at a time when the country faces one of the highest diabetes burdens globally.
According to international estimates, nearly one in every three adults in Pakistan is living with diabetes, while millions more are believed to have undiagnosed disease or prediabetes.
During the congress, Prof Raza delivered a lecture on the cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a topic of increasing concern for Pakistan where heart disease remains the leading cause of death and diabetes is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
He said diabetes is no longer simply a blood sugar disorder but a disease that damages blood vessels throughout the body, significantly increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and amputations.
The World Health Organization and international diabetes experts have repeatedly warned that Pakistan is facing a public health emergency due to the rapid rise in diabetes, fuelled by obesity, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and population growth.
Experts attending the congress discussed new evidence showing that cardiovascular disease accounts for a substantial proportion of deaths among people with type 2 diabetes, prompting a shift in diabetes management from glucose control alone to broader protection of the heart and kidneys.
Prof Raza’s participation as Congress Co-chair placed Pakistan among a select group of countries helping guide the scientific agenda of the international meeting, which was jointly hosted by the International Society of Endocrinology and the Japan Endocrine Society.
The congress, held from June 2 to 6 at the Kyoto International Conference Center, featured discussions on diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders, reproductive endocrinology, adrenal diseases, pituitary disorders and advances in precision medicine.
Pakistani endocrinologists said the country’s growing diabetes burden demands urgent investment in prevention, early diagnosis and long term management, warning that hospitals alone will not be able to cope with the increasing number of patients suffering complications of uncontrolled diabetes.
They noted that cardiovascular disease linked to diabetes is placing a substantial burden on Pakistan’s healthcare system, with growing numbers of younger adults presenting with heart attacks, strokes and chronic kidney disease.
Health experts said international recognition of Pakistani specialists at major scientific forums is important not only for the country’s academic standing but also for ensuring that local challenges and experiences are reflected in global discussions on diabetes care.
The Pakistan Endocrine Society congratulated Prof Dr Syed Abbas Raza on his role as Congress Co-chair and speaker, saying his participation highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to international endocrinology and diabetes research at a time when the disease is emerging as one of the country’s most pressing health challenges.
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