Islamabad (TDI): The number of diabetes patients in Pakistan has skyrocketed in the last two decades, according to the data shared on World Diabetes Day.
Experts attending the World Diabetes Day walk organized at the National Press Club in Islamabad revealed that Pakistan had 6.2 million diabetes cases in the year 2000, which surged to 33 million in 2021. They warned that the number could surge to 62 million by 2045 if immediate and concrete actions were not taken.
This sharp rise has put Pakistan at the top of the global rankings for diabetes prevalence, with nearly every third adult affected.
As per the data shared by experts, at least 1,100 people die every day in Pakistan due to diabetes.
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Sugary Drinks, Junk Food Major Cause of Diabetes: Experts
Representatives from the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), Heartfile, Center for Peace and Development Initiative (CPDI), and Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA) advocated for similar steps in Pakistan and urged the government to introduce a strict policy to control the consumption of industrially produced trans fats, sugary drinks, and junk foods—all linked to serious health issues.
“Trans fats found in processed foods, fried items, and baked goods increase insulin resistance, raise bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, and trigger inflammation, elevating the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease,” they said.
Many countries have introduced taxes and mandatory front-of-pack warning labels to successfully decrease diabetes rates and other lifestyle-related illnesses.
Dr Abdul Qayyum Awan, Senior Vice President of PANAH; Afzal Butt, President of the Union of Journalists; Anwar Raza, President of Islamabad Press Club; Dr Saba Amjad, CEO of Heartfile; Manzoor Hussain, Country Coordinator for Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI); PYCA Executive Director Areeba Shahid; Mukhtar Ahmed Ali, Executive Director of CPDI; and Sana Ullah Ghumman, General Secretary of PANAH also attended the event.
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Several civil society representatives, media, students, teachers, health professionals, and people from various walks of life joined them for the cause.
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Tax Sugary Drinks to Minimise Their Use: Experts
On the occasion, the health experts emphasized that imposing higher taxes on sugary drinks could be a highly effective measure in combating the spread of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
Sana Ullah Ghumman noted that around 50 countries, including Bahrain, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, have adopted this approach, achieving significant reductions in sugary drink consumption and diabetes rates.
Dr Saba Amjad, Areeba Shahid, and Mukhtar Ahmed Ali urged the government to act promptly to prevent this “diabetes bomb” from exploding. They emphasized that protecting public health now is essential to avoid a future burdened by preventable diseases.
