KARACHI: Denmark’s ambassador to Pakistan, Jesper M. Sorensen, has called for wider public awareness of diabetes prevention and treatment, warning that the country could end up with the world’s fourth largest diabetic population unless it acts.
He was speaking at a diabetes awareness seminar at the Indus Hospital, arranged by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, where he met doctors, researchers and patients.
Describing diabetes as Pakistan’s “silent killer”, the ambassador said more than seven million Pakistanis were living with the disease, which places the country seventh in the world by diabetic population. Without intervention, he said, the figure is feared to climb to around 13.8 million.
“Diabetes still has no cure, but effective treatment does exist, which can save precious lives,” Mr Sorensen said. Creating more awareness of prevention and effective treatment, he added, is one of the most important steps in the fight against the disease.
With the right medication, quality care and sound medical advice, he said, patients can lead active, healthy lives and reduce their risk of complications.
Many Pakistanis who have diabetes, or are at risk of it, know little about the options for treatment and especially prevention, the ambassador noted. People in poor and rural areas in particular need more awareness and education on improving their quality of life through good healthcare.
Rana Zafar, general manager of Novo Nordisk Pakistan, said awareness and education about diabetes were as important as its treatment. The company regularly arranges programmes and seminars for diabetic patients and for the general public, he said.
Novo Nordisk also organised a free diabetes camp at the hospital, where patients were tested and given guidance on care and treatment.
Mr Sorensen appreciated the partnership between Novo Nordisk and the Indus Hospital in reaching out to people. He closed the seminar by stressing the continuing need for advocacy and for partnerships among agencies that can bring change to the life of every person living with diabetes.
The visit comes against a background of modest but balanced trade. Danish goods exports to Pakistan totalled $93 million in 2012, mainly machinery, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and raw materials. Denmark’s exports of services to Pakistan stood at $94 million in 2011, almost all of them linked to the maritime industry.
Pakistan’s goods exports to Denmark reached $95 million in 2012, about 40 per cent of them textiles. Its services exports to Denmark were $81 million in 2011, of which 45 per cent came from the maritime sector.
The Danish Embassy will open a commercial section on December 1, 2013, headed by a commercial adviser. The arrangement is a one-year trial and will be made permanent if it proves successful and Danish companies make use of its services.