'Punjab Diabetes Forum' being held on December 6

With a view to raising awareness and to evolve a strategy to fight diabetes, the Punjab government and Novo Nordisk on Wednesday inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to hold 'Punjab Diabetes Forum'. Provincial Secretary for Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education, Najam Ahmed Shah and country head of Danish Pharmaceutical Company, Novo Nordisk signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.
This MoU is an important milestone in joint collaboration and efforts of the Punjab government and government of Denmark for the prevention and control of diabetes in Pakistan, as Punjab shares half of the country's population and a huge number of health managers dealing with diabetes.
Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Ole Thonke told the participants of signing ceremony that it's very encouraging to see the positive progress of Pakistan towards greater awareness, prevention and control of diabetes. He said, "With a strong national policy and a close collaboration with a world-leading pharmaceutical industry, Denmark has been able to deliver effective solution to prevent and treat diabetes. We are dedicated to improve better quality in healthcare not only at home, but also globally through these types of initiatives. This collaboration with the Punjab government is a perfect example of this."
On this occasion, Najam Ahmed Shah said, "Only knowing about diabetes is not enough; prevention by changing one's lifestyle and diabetes management with a strong willpower are critical. We are the seventh largest country in terms of diabetes; this is time to take this problem head on."
As per recent statistics, diabetes is a growing non-communicable disease in Pakistan. It is roughly estimated that about seven million people in Pakistan live with diabetes, and half of them may not even know it. It is predicted that by 2035, the number of people with diabetes will nearly double to 12.8 million.
Punjab Diabetes Forum will be held on December 6, in Lahore under the patronage of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. The forum will be focusing on advocacy campaigns for diabetes awareness, prevention and control, through focused group workshops and a scientific symposium.