Karachi: In a significant step to prevent rising cases of diabetic complications and amputations, Discovering Diabetes and the Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (BIIDE) have signed an important partnership agreement. The ceremony was attended by BIIDE Director Dr. Zahid Mian, Dr. Saif-ul-Haq, Discovering Diabetes representatives Abdul Samad and Muhammad Mohsin, and Bionics’ representative Anas Riaz.
Dr. Zahid Mian said that diabetes is rapidly increasing globally, and Pakistan is no exception, with more than 35 million people affected. He noted that 25–30% of diabetic individuals remain undiagnosed, while over 85 million Pakistanis are living with dysglycemia. Complications such as vision loss, kidney failure, heart diseases, and diabetic foot are continuously rising.
He highlighted that lack of attention to numbness and foot wounds often leads to delayed treatment, resulting in amputations that severely impact entire families. According to him, timely intervention can prevent up to 80% of diabetes-related amputations.
Discovering Diabetes announced that their AI-powered “DiaBot” application now includes diabetic foot–related screening questions. This will help identify patients early, especially those who cannot visit hospitals, enabling quicker treatment of foot wounds.
Abdul Samad emphasized that 3.5 million people in Pakistan are at risk of amputation and that DiaBot will help connect such patients to BIIDE for timely care. He also called for nationwide awareness campaigns on diabetic foot.
Dr. Saif-ul-Haq stated that even Pakistan’s entire health budget cannot control the diabetes epidemic, and prevention is the only sustainable solution. All institutions must work together to secure a healthier future generation, he added.
Bionics’ representative Anas Riaz shared that advanced technology is now enabling the provision of affordable, locally supported prosthetics in Pakistan.
Muhammad Mohsin noted that at least 10% of high-risk individuals can have their limbs saved through timely intervention, and the app will help identify such patients much earlier.