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'Diabetes
Preventable if Checked in Advance'
It is estimated
that in Pakistan 8.8 million people suffer from diabetes. This figure
also includes, massively, cases of kidney damage resulting from
diabetes - the damage could be severe and many a time irreversible
if not checked in advance. Consultants, doctors and nurses reiterated
the necessity to pre-empt such a situation, at the World Diabetes
Day organized at Aga Khan University (AKU) on December 11-12, 2003.
Speaking under
this year's theme "Diabetes can cost you your kidneys - act now" they discussed how such complications could be avoided if timely
interventions are done.
The two-day
programme comprised a Continuing Medical Education seminar for doctors
and a public awareness programme. The first day included a welcome
address by Dr. Farhat Abbas, Medical Director of Aga Khan University
Hospital. Dr. Abbas highlighted the importance of an early check
on the symptoms leading to diabetes, and suggested changes in such
lifestyles that may act as catalyst in such diseases.
The issue of
preventive care was highlighted by Dr. Aasim Ahmad, Associate Professor
and Consultant Nephrologist, AKU, who stressed the importance of
diabetes and blood pressure control in order to prevent long-term
kidney damage. He also highlighted the use of certain medications
in this regard. Dr. Najmul Islam, Associate Professor and Consultant
Endocrinologist, AKU, underscored the role of intensive lifestyle
interventions such as exercise, diet and weight loss in preventing
or delaying the onset of diabetes. These measures, he added, need
to be targeted at individuals at high risk of developing this disease. "The burden of diabetes would be twice the present prevalence, given
the estimated rate of increase," he said.
The afternoon
session included an overview of newer medications and upcoming treatment
modalities in diabetes by Dr. Lubna Zuberi, Assistant professor,
AKU. This was followed by a case presentation by Dr. Abdul Jabbar,
Associate Professor and Head of the Section of Endocrinology, AKU.
Through his case studies, Dr. Jabbar explained the various factors
contributing to complications, such as hypertension, and suggested
strategies to prevent the disease from advancing to a lethal stage.
A presentation
on diabetes management was given by Dr. Ghazala Rafique, Sr. Instructor,
Department of Community Health Sciences, AKU, on the second day
during the public health awareness programme. This was followed
by an overview of dietary practices for patients with diabetes by
Dr. Salma Badruddin, Professor of Medicine, AKU. As nurses play
an integral role in the management of diabetes, Laila Arif, a diabetes
specialist nurse, shared her views on the topic of diabetes management.
The programme also included stalls offering diabetes related information,
blood sugar measurement service and insulin injection technique.
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