Islamabad (Web Desk): World Diabetes Day is being observed today (Thursday) across the globe including Pakistan to raise awareness about diabetes.
The theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day is 'Diabetes and well-being'.
In his message on World Diabetes Day, President Asif Ali Zardari called for collaboration between media, civil society and the private sector to raise awareness about the risks of diabetes to ensure early prevention and reduce the burden of the silent killer disease.
“The disease can be controlled—and even prevented—through proactive measures by adopting a healthier lifestyle, regular exercises, balanced nutrition and maintaining a healthy weight,” the president.
He said that this year’s theme, “Diabetes and Well-being,” underscored the importance of addressing the growing global diabetes crisis and its profound impact on health and well-being.
President Zardari said that increasing cases of diabetes were primarily linked to sedentary living, poor dietary habits, and a lack of education about the disease.
He also emphasised strengthening Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure to ensure that all individuals have access to affordable and effective diabetes care.
President Zardari said that by working together with both national and international partners, “we can improve our healthcare systems, implement preventive measures and provide cost-effective treatment to those living with diabetes.”
“On this World Diabetes Day, we reaffirm our commitment to tackling the challenge of diabetes by raising awareness, and investing in prevention and treatment, we can reduce the burden of this silent killer and improve the lives of millions of Pakistanis,” President Zardari asserted.
In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the government is fully committed to controlling the escalation of diabetes.
He said that "Prime Minister's Program for Prevention and Control of Diabetes Mellitus" will be launched at the federal level with an aim of controlling the disease in federal areas and improving capacities in all provinces.
Expressing concerns about the alarming rate of diabetes in Pakistan, the premier said that about 33 million of citizens enduring the burden of diabetes.
PM Shehbaz reiterated the commitment to provide health facilities to all citizens of Pakistan.
World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in response to the rising concerns over diabetes as a serious health issue globally.
In 2006, the United Nations (UN) officially recognised WDD through the adoption of Resolution 61/225, marking diabetes as a global health threat.
November 14 was chosen as the date because it commemorates the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, one of the scientists who discovered insulin in 1921, alongside Charles Best.
This discovery revolutionised diabetes treatment, transforming a once-fatal disease into a manageable condition.
