Diabetes Type 1 Affects Around 100,000 Children In Pakistan

(CTN News) – It is estimated that around 100,000 children in Pakistan have type 1 diabetes and will require insulin throughout their lives to remain healthy and normal.

According to senior endocrinologists and health experts, in a media briefing on Saturday, many of them are not diagnosed in time due to a lack of awareness among parents and most of the treating physicians.

They said sudden weight loss, frequent urination, extreme hunger as well as a change in mood were some of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes and parents should take their children to qualified and trained physicians when such signs and symptoms appear and insist that their child’s sugar be checked.

Many of the 100,000 children in Pakistan who are affected by type 1 diabetes are not diagnosed in a timely manner and die within a few days of developing the condition.

A diabetologist and the head of the Changing Diabetes in Children program, professor Abdul Basit, told the New York Times that parents should be aware of the symptoms of type 1, and if these children are treated by qualified and trained doctors, their lives can be saved.

According to him, “our goal is to reach out to 3000 children whose parents cannot afford insulin throughout the country and provide them with free insulin so they can live a normal, happy life.”

Furthermore, the Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Jakob Linulf, expressed regret that hundreds of children were dying due to their parents not knowing they had Type 1 diabetes and not receiving the appropriate insulin to help them live a long, healthy and happy life.

In Pakistan, parents need to be informed that early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes can save the lives of hundreds of children. Additionally, physicians and doctors need training regarding the proper diagnosis of Type 1 and the use of insulin as per guidelines, according to the ambassador.

Ghafoor, who manages the Changing in Children initiative, indicated that there are 16 Changing Diabetes in Children centers located throughout the country, including Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad, the capital city.

We plan to enroll 1,544 children across Pakistan through these centers by the end of 2023. Those living with who visit these centers have access to free insulin and blood glucose monitoring equipment to improve their control of their diabetes.

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