Medical experts addressing a programme organised at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center here on Tuesday - as part of World Diabetes Day, observed rampant sedentary life style and unhealthy diet has increased vulnerability of local population, pertaining to all age groups, to non-communicable diseases, more particularly, diabetes to serious proportions.
Diabetes itself, they said, was the major cause for growing incidence of foot amputations, blindness, renal complications, heart ailments and other serious health conditions among people suffering from the disease and unable to lead a disciplined life.
Foot, being the most neglected part of human body, has to particularly bear the brunt if it happens to be a diabetic foot, they said mentioning loss of sensation denies the patient to realise onset of a small wound till it turns serious.
Referring to the significance of current year theme they mentioned in every 30 seconds a diabetic experiences foot amputation across the globe.
Despite non availability of data it was observed that current year theme "Put Feet First Prevent Amputations" holds particular significance for local population, who not only lack knowledge but also prefer approaching traditional healers to get their foot wound healed.
The practice, they said, was extremely hazardous for diabetics as handling of wounds under poor hygienic conditions and with un-sterilized equipment causes serious threat to their quality survival as well as at time to the patient's existence due to possible septicemia.
After inaugural session, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) Director Professor Azhar Farooqui, JPMC Executive Director and a senior diabetologist Professor Mashoor Alam Shah, Medicine Department Dr Jamal Ara, Gynecology and Obstetric Dr Razia Narejo, Diabetic Clinic Dresser Ilyas and others addressed the public awareness session.
Professor Azhar Farooqui, addressing the inaugural session referred to his institution based data revealing 13 per cent of local population was inflicted with one or the other type of Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD) as per estimates.
Diabetes, he said, was a major cause for coronary artery disease and increased risk for angina as well as heart attacks adding that a health status of diabetic was equivalent to a person who might have already experienced heart attack.
Meanwhile, all speakers observed Pakistanis failing to develop active involvement in sports and healthy recreational activities while do indulge themselves in unhealthy dietary habits exposing themselves to varied serious health conditions.
Recommending for moderation in food intake and increased physical activity among all age groups of people, pertaining to all social classes, they expressed concern regarding aggravating risk for local children against obesity induced diseases.
The scenario they regretted had also turned local children alarmingly vulnerable to heart attacks, diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis because of increased weight and disproportionate circumference of their waist.
Dr Jamal Ara responding to a question said while Diabetes Type One could not be prevented Diabetes Type Two could be avoided with due consideration towards healthy life style.
On the occasion patients namely Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haroon and Hafiz Raunaq, visiting the JPMC Diabetic Clinic and able to avoid amputation through proper medical intervention at the facility narrated their respective experiences.
Prizes were distributed among patients who successfully managed to control the ailment.
The public awareness session was followed by scientific session, which Dr Asim Ahmed, Dr Mahboob, Dr Nasir Jakhrani and Dr Mashoor Alam Shah addressed.