Call to arms for diabetes crisis

Government to introduce ‘Live Well’ initiative in K-P

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Health Minister, Syed Qasim Ali Shah, issued a wake-up call, revealing that a staggering 30 per cent of our society is grappling with diabetes, a statistic that should alarm us all. Moreover, he shed light on the concerning trend of high blood pressure among eighteen-year-olds, indicating a troubling shift in our youth’s health landscape.

Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, Shah emphasized the need for concrete action beyond mere discussion. To this end, the government is poised to launch initiatives under the banner of ‘Live Well’, aimed at instilling a culture of healthy living among students within educational institutions.

Shah’s remarks came during his attendance as a special guest at the fourth International Public Health Conference held at Khyber Medical University in Peshawar. The conference, spanning four days from April 16 to April 19, featured esteemed experts and speakers from prestigious institutions such as the University of Central Lancashire, Aga Khan University, Qatar University, and more. Their lectures covered a wide array of topics including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, health hazards exacerbated by climate change, and strategies for fortifying healthcare systems.

Encouraging active participation from students, Shah urged them to engage wholeheartedly in this pivotal initiative. As a token of appreciation, the Health Minister also presented commendation shields to the conference speakers.

The conference sessions shed light on grim statistics, revealing that a staggering fifty per cent of deaths in K-P are attributable to non-communicable diseases, which are largely preventable. The speakers emphasized the critical importance of timely intervention, as failure to address these diseases promptly can lead to severe complications.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2024.