ISLAMABAD: Health experts reported that around 100,000 children in Pakistan are believed to have type 1 diabetes, requiring a lifetime of insulin to lead normal and healthy lives. Lack of awareness among parents and healthcare professionals often leads to delayed diagnosis.
During a media briefing, senior endocrinologists emphasized that symptoms such as sudden weight loss, frequent urination, extreme hunger, and mood changes in children could be indicative of type 1 diabetes. Parents are urged to be vigilant and consult trained and qualified physicians if such signs appear in their children.
“Many of the 100,000 children with type 1 diabetes in Pakistan go undiagnosed and tragically succumb to the disease within a few days of its onset. Early detection and treatment with insulin can save their lives and enable them to lead normal, happy lives,” stated diabetologist and head of Changing Diabetes in Children, Prof. Abdul Basit.
Changing Diabetes in Children
The initiative aims to reach 3,000 children across the country, providing free insulin to families who cannot afford it. The Changing Diabetes in Children program has set up 16 centers in various regions, covering provinces such as Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the federal capital, Islamabad.
Denmark’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jakob Linulf, expressed concern over the lack of awareness, resulting in the loss of lives among children with type 1 diabetes. He stressed the importance of educating parents about early diagnosis and ensuring physicians receive proper training for timely and accurate identification of the condition.
Irum Ghafoor, the manager of Changing Diabetes in Children, highlighted the success of the program in enrolling 1,544 children across Pakistan by the end of 2023. Through the initiative’s centers, children with diabetes gain access to free insulin and blood glucose monitoring equipment for better disease management.
