LAHORE: Medical experts have warned that vitamin D deficiency has become widespread in Pakistan, affecting people across various age groups despite the country receiving abundant sunshine.
They called for greater public awareness, early diagnosis and proper treatment to address what they described as a growing health challenge.
The concerns were raised at the D Connect Summit 2026, organised in connection with World Vitamin D Day at Avari Hotel on Mall Road, Lahore. The seminar was arranged by Scotmann Pharmaceuticals and brought together medical professionals to discuss the impact of vitamin D deficiency on bone health, women’s health and overall well-being.
Prof Dr Faisal Masood, Professor and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, spoke on “From Childhood to Aging: Vitamin D – A Lifetime Partner in Bone Health.”
He said bones performed several important functions in the human body, including helping movement, protecting vital organs and maintaining calcium balance. He said calcium was essential for the proper functioning of the heart, muscles and nerves, while vitamin D helped the body absorb and use calcium.
Dr Faisal said Pakistan was facing a serious problem of vitamin D deficiency despite plenty of sunlight. Referring to estimates, he said approximately 73 per cent of people were either vitamin D deficient or had inadequate levels.
He identified several reasons behind the problem, including people avoiding direct sunlight because of concerns about skin tanning and extreme weather conditions. Clothing habits, social customs, indoor lifestyles and air pollution also reduced exposure to sunlight, he added.
He said changing food habits had further contributed to the issue as people were increasingly choosing food for taste rather than considering its nutritional value.
The orthopaedic expert warned that vitamin D deficiency could have serious consequences for bone health, particularly among older people. He said osteoporosis often remained undetected until a person suffered a fracture after a minor fall.
Citing a clinical example of an elderly woman who suffered a fracture after falling at home, he explained that old age, limited physical activity, steroid use and other health conditions could increase the risk of weak bones.
Dr Faisal stressed that bone health should be protected from childhood instead of being addressed only in old age. He said nearly 90 per cent of peak bone mass was achieved during younger years, adding that children should be encouraged to take part in outdoor activities and consume nutritious food to develop strong bones.
He also said vitamin D had functions beyond bone health and played a role in several body processes, including brain development, immunity and the proper use of calcium.
He urged parents to pay attention to children’s nutrition and physical activities, saying that a healthy lifestyle during early life could help reduce the risk of fractures and bone-related diseases later.
Prof Dr Asma Kazi, Professor and Head of Medicine at Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore, discussed Pakistan’s vitamin D crisis and guidelines for its proper management.
Speaking on “Mapping the Burden, Mastering the Management: Pakistan’s Vitamin D Crisis and PSIM Guidelines,” she said vitamin D deficiency was a major public health concern. However, she also warned against the growing practice of excessive supplementation without proper medical advice.
She said vitamin D was among the most frequently prescribed supplements in medical practice, but doctors needed to consider three important questions: who should be tested, who actually needed supplementation and what dose should be prescribed.
Dr Asma referred to different studies showing high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Pakistan. She cited research reporting deficiency rates of 84.3 per cent in one study and 61.1 per cent in a retrospective laboratory-based assessment.
She also referred to findings suggesting that 79.7 per cent of women of reproductive age had vitamin D deficiency, with 54 per cent moderately deficient and 25.7 per cent severely deficient.
According to the figures she presented, vitamin D deficiency was also reported among children and adults in both urban and rural areas. Some studies conducted in different Pakistani cities showed deficiency rates ranging from 74 to 95.1 per cent.
She explained that air pollution, limited exposure to sunlight, clothing practices, skin pigmentation and a lack of vitamin D-rich food were among the major reasons behind the problem.
The physician identified children, adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women, elderly people and individuals suffering from obesity, kidney disease, liver disorders and conditions affecting nutrient absorption as groups requiring special attention.
She emphasised that vitamin D supplementation should be based on a patient’s medical condition, age and individual needs. Doctors should review patients’ medical histories, assess possible risk factors and carry out relevant tests before prescribing high doses.
She cautioned that excessive vitamin D intake could cause harmful effects. Routine high-dose supplementation was not appropriate for everyone, she said, adding that treatment should follow medical guidelines.
Dr Asma further explained that vitamin D requirements varied with age. She said daily requirements could be met through diet and sunlight in some cases, but supplements might be necessary when these sources were insufficient, when a deficiency was confirmed or when a person belonged to a high-risk group.
At the summit, Dr Andleeb Arshad, Assistant Professor at Lahore General Hospital, also spoke about women’s health and the importance of vitamin D.
