Pakistan PM Demands Urgent National Strategy to Combat World's Highest Diabetes Rate

In a critical move to tackle Pakistan alarming health crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the creation of a detailed national plan to prevent diabetes. This directive came after a meeting with top medical experts from Pakistan and other countries, including the President of the International Society of Endocrinology, Dr. Syed Abbas Raza, highlighting the urgent need for action against a disease that affects a massive portion of the population. The stakes couldn't be higher: Pakistan currently faces the world's highest rate of diabetes among adults, with a staggering 30.8% of its adult population living with the condition, a figure nearly three times the global average. This translates to over 36 million Pakistanis, a number projected to almost double to 70.2 million by 2050 if current trends continue without strong intervention. Previous attempts to implement national health strategies for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have struggled with a lack of government focus and funding, meaning this new push must overcome past challenges to truly make a difference. Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that the new strategy must prioritize research, widespread public awareness, and strong preventive measures, especially promoting healthy lifestyles among young people and students. The plan calls for using all types of media – from TV and radio to digital platforms – to share information on balanced diets, regular exercise, and early diagnosis. For this initiative to succeed, sustained commitment from all levels of government, active international collaboration, and a clear focus on community-level changes will be essential to turn the tide against this silent killer.