Pakistan Tops Global Diabetes Rankings

Pakistan has officially recorded the highest diabetes rate in the world, sparking urgent warnings from the country’s medical community. Health experts caution that millions are already facing severe complications linked to the disease, threatening both lives and livelihoods.

Millions Facing Risk of Amputations

Speaking at the inauguration of a multi-disciplinary diabetic clinic in Karachi, Professor Zahid Mian revealed that more than 3.4 million Pakistanis are currently at risk of serious injuries or amputations due to diabetic foot disease. This condition, caused by nerve damage and poor blood circulation, can quickly escalate to life-threatening infections if left untreated.

Diabetes and Its Life-Threatening Complications

Prof. Mian stressed that diabetes is one of the leading causes of amputations worldwide and is also a major driver of kidney failure. Beyond amputations, it increases the risk of:

  • Stroke
  • Heart attacks
  • Vision loss
  • Long-term disabilities

“These are not just numbers—they represent lives being lost or forever changed,” he emphasised.

Lifestyle and Early Detection as Key Defences

Health professionals are calling for nationwide awareness campaigns to educate the public on preventive measures. Early diagnosis, proper medical management, and lifestyle changes such as improved diet, regular exercise, and weight control are critical in reducing the disease’s impact.

Doctors also urge patients with diabetes to undergo routine foot examinations to prevent minor injuries from developing into serious infections.

Urgent Need for Policy Action

With diabetes now a national health emergency, experts say the government must prioritise funding for treatment facilities, screening programs, and public health education. Without swift action, the economic and social costs of diabetes-related disabilities and deaths are expected to rise sharply in the coming years.

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