KARACHI: In a recent press release issued by the Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP), the persistent and progressive nature of diabetes casts a long shadow over the lives of millions worldwide. Presently, more than 537 million people, equating to 1 in 10 individuals, grapple with diabetes on a global scale. Projections indicate that this staggering number is poised to surge to 643 million by the year 2030. Alarmingly, a substantial 90% of these cases are linked to type 2 diabetes, with approximately 240 million individuals unknowingly carrying this condition.
This underscores the pivotal significance of regular diabetes screening, particularly for those harbouring one or more risk factors, encompassing age, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, familial predisposition to diabetes, a history of gestational diabetes, or hypertension and dyslipidemia.
The pressing need for heightened awareness and proactive diabetes management cannot be overstated as the world grapples with this burgeoning health challenge.
Early detection and prompt treatment are pivotal in alleviating the burden of type 2 diabetes and its potentially severe complications, including blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease.
In a bid to bolster public awareness about diabetes, the Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) is hosting World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2023 on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Hotel Regent Plaza, Karachi.
This year, the theme for World Diabetes Day, spanning from 2021 to 2023, is 'Access to Diabetes Care,' with the campaign slogan focusing on the "Importance of Knowing the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes." The primary objective of the 2023 campaign is to emphasize the significance of recognizing type 2 diabetes risk factors, while also raising awareness about diabetes, its management, and prevention. Education about diabetes is now acknowledged as a pivotal element of diabetes management, with a special emphasis on educating healthcare professionals, individuals with diabetes, and the general public to prevent diabetes and its associated complications.
The World Diabetes Day program includes two distinct sessions. The morning session, designed for medical professionals, will feature experts delivering state-of-the-art lectures on diabetes treatment and prevention, along with insights into managing its complications. The afternoon session is tailored for individuals with diabetes and their families.
World Diabetes Day is an annual global observance led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It serves as a platform to engage millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. Originating in 1991, World Diabetes Day has also gained recognition as an official United Nations (UN) Day since 2006, through the passage of United Nations Resolution 61/225. This campaign remains instrumental in shedding light on critical diabetes-related issues and ensuring that diabetes remains in the public spotlight.
Join the Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) on November 19, 2023, to take part in the fight against diabetes and learn more about its prevention, management, and the importance of knowing your risk. Together, we can make strides in reducing the global burden of diabetes and improving the lives of those affected by this widespread condition.
