On World Diabetes Day a health fair and awareness walk at the National Press Club Islamabad brought together journalists, health experts and civil society to highlight the growing diabetes crisis in Pakistan. Organised by the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists, National Press Club and PANAH in collaboration with Heartfile, PYCA and CPDI, the event provided free medical checkups, diagnostic tests and medicines to more than 400 journalists and their families.
Speakers at the walk warned that Pakistan has seen a dramatic rise in diabetes cases, with numbers rising from around 6.3 million in 2011 to an estimated 33 million in 2021, and roughly 1 million people at early stages of the disease. Experts noted that approximately 1,100 deaths occur daily in Pakistan from diabetes and its complications and cautioned that without immediate, effective policy measures the total number of patients could reach 70 million by 2050.
Health professionals from cardiology, oncology, gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, psychiatry, ophthalmology and urology offered consultations during the fair. The programme also included online podcast discussions at the National Press Club where representatives of PANAH, Heartfile, CPDI and PYCA emphasised the health harms of ultra processed products and called for stronger public health policies.
Organisers and participants urged government action on evidence based measures including higher taxation on ultra processed products, implementation of front of pack warning labels and an immediate ban on partially hydrogenated oils. Experts highlighted that sugary drinks are the largest source of sugar intake in Pakistan, that liquid sugar disrupts metabolism and that regular consumption can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 30 percent, risks that can be reduced by fiscal policies and clear food labeling.
Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarrar was the event’s special guest and described the health fair as a positive step. The initiative recognised the contribution of doctors, paramedics and pharmaceutical representatives with certificates at the close of the event and reiterated the need for timely diagnosis, prevention and promotion of healthier lifestyles to curb the diabetes epidemic.
