The Ministry of National Health Services prioritized non-communicable diseases, expanding national access to diabetes screenings, treatment, and public health education
By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: On this year’s World Diabetes Day, Pakistan has taken a significant step in its fight against non-communicable diseases with the inauguration of a dedicated Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Centre in Barri Imam. Spearheading the launch, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, underscored the nation’s commitment to addressing a critical health crisis affecting millions.
Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, at the inauguration, stressed the urgent need for a unified response to combat diabetes, a pressing public health issue in Pakistan. “Diabetes impacts approximately 33 million people in Pakistan, with another 27% likely undiagnosed. The impact of diabetes was starkly evident in 2021, with 396,625 recorded deaths,” he remarked, emphasizing Pakistan’s dedication to reaching the World Health Organization’s diabetes targets by 2030 and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive, the Ministry of National Health Services has prioritized non-communicable diseases, expanding national access to diabetes screenings, treatment, and public health education. The Barri Imam NCD Centre marks the beginning of a larger national initiative; five more centers are expected to follow in Islamabad. These centers aim to provide early intervention and comprehensive care for diabetes and other non-communicable diseases that increasingly strain the nation’s health system.
Reflecting the theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day, “Breaking Barriers and Bridging Gaps: Uniting to Strengthen Diabetes & Well-being,” Dr. Bharath reaffirmed the government’s commitment to overcoming systemic obstacles in diabetes care. He outlined plans to allocate more resources to public health education, expand screenings for at-risk individuals, and ensure sustained treatment support.
