Every hour ten people die from diabetes-related causes, experts estimate

10 people die every hour in Pakistan from diabetes-related causes often by heart attacks and strokes. It is predicted that by 2035, the number of people with diabetes will reach to 12.8 million." This was revealed by health experts at a diabetic forum organised by the Department of Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education, here on Tuesday.
The forum was inaugurated by Minister for Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education (SHC&ME) Punjab, Khawaja Salman Rafique and Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, HE Ole Thonke. The Punjab government and the Government of Denmark have launched joint efforts to fight diabetes and to provide easy and free access to the public for treatment and medication.
On this occasion, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, HE Ole Thonke said, "Denmark has close to 100 years of experience fighting diabetes. We want to share this with Pakistan. The public and private sector needs to join forces with all stakeholders in the health sector for the overall public good. In Pakistan, the Embassy of Denmark is actively working with the federal and provincial governments as well as the private sector to address the increasing burden of diabetes."
While addressing the event, Salman Rafique said, As per Chief Minister's vision for improving health and wellbeing of people in the province, Punjab Diabetes Forum 2016 will be a great example of public-private partnership and will act as a milestone to fight against diabetes in Punjab. This forum will help identify the strategies and way forward for the better advocacy and awareness campaigns in Punjab against diabetes. It will also help in training and educating not only the students and health professionals, including doctors and nurses, but will also create awareness among general public for importance of living a healthy lifestyle."
Speakers including Professor Faisal Masood, VC KEMU and Professor Khadija Irfan Khawaja highlighted the seriousness of the issue and its prevention. Najam Ahmed Shah, Secretary SHC&ME said, "Improving the healthcare system has been a priority of Punjab government. We are aware of growing diabetes issue in Punjab and taking conducive initiatives with the support of Embassy of Denmark in Pakistan for the advocacy of prevention and control of this disease. The encouraging factor is the belief of Government of Punjab in a public-private partnership model and the plan is to implement the same model in the healthcare system as well." He also nominated Professor Faisal Masood as Chairman Taskforce on Diabetes.