By The World Ambassador
TWA
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Non-communicable diseases are alarmingly on the rise in Pakistan. 1100 people dying daily due to diabetes and its complications, over 300 limbs removed every day. Pakistan has 3rd highest burden of people living with diabetes with 33 million diabetics, apart from this 10 million people are pre-diabetic. Without immediate policy action number of people living with diabetes will increase to 62 million by 2045. This alarming issue was highlighted in a youth sensitization session held in Iqra University Islamabad.
General Secretary Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) Sana Ullah Ghumman said that non-communicable diseases is becoming pandemic in Pakistan and If modifiable risk factors of these diseases are controlled, there will be a significant decrease in these diseases. Unhealthy diet like ultra-processed foods and beverage products are among the major reasons of these diseases due to very high amount of sugar, sodium and trans-fats. Government shall take the immediate policy measures to control the consumption of these unhealthy foods.
Sana highlighted the purpose of organizing these session and stated that youth of any country is the important force which can bring change in society and even in policy making. PANAH is developing a youth force consist of all students of universities in Pakistan and main purpose is to develop different proposal of best practices which can be implement to control NCDs in the country.
PANAH will lead these youth lead project by providing data and resources to the students.
