KARACHI: Health experts on Saturday stressed over the prevention and early diagnosis of diabetes at the 8th National Symposium held to observe World Diabetes Day.

On the occasion of World Diabetes Day 2021, the Diabetes Clinical Ward 7 Medical Unit at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre organised the Annual Diabetes Symposium to spread awareness about diabetes and the ways to access diabetic care treatment.

With a prevalence rate of 33 million, Pakistan stands third in the world with a thriving ratio of diabetic patients.

A renowned panel of experts including endocrinologists, dermatologists and nephrologists discussed the untapped aspects of diabetes care.

Executive Director of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Professor Shahid Rasul extended his appreciation to the guest speakers for their presence at the symposium and expressed concern over the worrisome figures of diabetes prevalence.

“Prevention is the most effective strategy for diabetes, we should counsel our patients regarding care,” said Prof Rasul.

The keynote speech — in the context of Covid-19 — was delivered by Professor Syed Masroor Ahmed, Dean of Medicine JSMU on the correlation between diabetes and pandemic.

“Excessive body fat and obesity increase the rate of mortality for patients infected with Covid-19” explained Dr Masroor.

“Increase in diabetes prevalence is a major health and economic burden, and policymakers should make it a top priority on their political agenda” demanded Professor Ahmed.

The symposium was followed by a question and answer session by a panel of experts including Professor Zaman Sheikh from Sir Syed Hospital, Professor Najm-ul-Islam from Aga Khan University Hospital, Professor Haleema, and Professor Khadija from Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology JPMC.